Pelican Light Foundation and Diepkloof Police initiative, The Supporting Group partnered to donate much needed resources to a Zone 2family following a devastating fire that left them with traces of what was once a happy home.
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The family shared that they suspect an electrical fault may have been the cause of the fire as the oldest daughter, Limakatso Ndou recalled how their life went up in flames.
“I was cooking porridge when I left the house to take a quick bath but to my disbelief, neighbours banged on the door alerting me of a fire,” she said.
“The fire was coming from the corner near the cables and quickly spread to other parts of the house and torched everything.”
Ndou described the incident as an “out of body experience” adding it would take the family a while before they can go back to life as they knew it.
She further added that she was disappointed and felt failed by fire emergencies who she alleges arrived an hour after the incident occurred which was already too late.
“The community tried but we couldn’t save any of our belongings.
“Everything that you can think of went up in smoke, we are left with the clothes on our backs and some which people have been giving us,” she said adding that the family was currently in the process with Social Development agency SASSA who donated sleeping sponges and blankets.
The Department further committed to helping the family get their Identity documentation processed.
The family home that burnt was a three-room informal settlement which was divided into a kitchen, bedroom and dining room that they shared amongst seven of them, consisting of four adults and three children.
She told Urban News since the fire broke out, they now had to share a one room amongst themselves because they had nowhere else to go adding that they could not relocate as per disaster management recommendations due to the children who went to nearby schools in the area.
“We are all unemployed. I recently ended my temporary contract at a retail store in June. We have no other means except for the social grant that my children receive. While my dad is self-employed, installing sound systems, he can go long periods without getting a client,” said Ndou
Julian Ndou, Mother of Limakatso said it was a heart-breaking and stressful time for her family but has thanked everyone who heeded the calls to donate essentials to their family.
“We share this room, some sleep on the floor and on the couch. It has been hard but we are trying to make the most of the little that we have.
“We want to thank everyone who has been coming here and making sure that we have something.”
Pelican Light foundation which has been assessing the extent of damages at the family home shared that the donations included clothes, non-perishable foods as well as toys for the children.
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“We are committing to come back and make sure that resources are being directed to this family.
“We want to see them back in their own space, where they don’t have to be cramped in a small room. We are hoping that more will be done,” Karabo Ngwenya, Secretary of the foundation told Urban News.
Anyone who wishes to assist the Ndou’s with basic essentials or towards rebuilding of their home can get in contact Limakatso Ndou on 072 719 5207 or Julian Ndou on 063 840 0921.
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