A holiday trip to Cape Town in April resulted in a family rallying to make the living conditions of residents in Victoria West a little easier.
The Van Wyk family stopped at the small town and came across a group of boys who touched the family immensely.
“These boys were dirty, they wore tattered clothes and broken shoes.
“I spoke to them and asked what else they do besides begging but that is all they do,” Mark Van Wyk said.
He noticed that the boys weren’t educated after he asked one of them to count.
A 12-year-old boy couldn’t count past three.
The living conditions of people in Victoria West is described as sad by Jocelyn Van Wyk.
“They don’t have beds to sleep in, they sleep on cardboard boxes and use old paint tins as chairs.
“A lady offered me bread and fish, the fish was made in an old coffee tin,” Jocelyn said.
Upon their return to Johannesburg, Van Wyk made a plea on Facebook for clothing for the people of Victoria West as he promised them he would return with supplies.
“The response we got was overwhelming,” Van Wyk said.
The family has since collected about 50 boxes of clothing and a supply of food.
Pupils from the school Van Wyk teaches at are hoping to collect paint for some of the houses in Victoria West.
The Van Wyks are planning on taking the goods to Victoria West at the end of June but still need much more.
“We appeal to people to help us with tekkies, toiletries and shoes,” Van Wyk said.
They also require transport to take the supplies to the small town of Victoria West, close to Kimberley.
To help in any way, Van Wyk can be reached on 083 444 8815.
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