Tony Lawrence, Retreat Steenberg Civic Association Communication Liaison
Few of us experience the trauma and sadness of losing all our possessions in a fire. Those who suffer as a consequence of a fire are not left with only the clothes on their backs, but also extreme desperation and hopelessness with the loss of the security of a home which has been razed to the ground, and nowhere to go for help or comfort.
It was the devastating fire in Lavender Hill in early November that prompted Retreat Steenberg Civic Association (RSCA) Exco Member, Magdalene Jordaan, into action with a call to the community for donations, and the quick mobilising of a team to help coordinate the receipt and fair distribution of the goods.
That was early in November, and since then, the RSCA Disaster Relief Project was established to distribute various items of relief to the victims of fires in Lavender Hill, Montague Village and Mitchell’s Plain.
The range of donations received included clothing, bedding, crockery and cutlery. There were also items of furniture like beds, stoves, cupboards, and a microwave. Donations were sent from as far as Paarl, Gugulethu and Kuils River.
Donations of food were sent to NGOs and organisations who specialise in making food or food parcels. One person gave a donation of R1000 in cash and this was used to buy groceries in order to cook food.
More than 20 families making up a total of 115 people benefited, directly.
The RSCA Disaster Relief Project continues to receive donations which will be kept for future incidences, and as determined by various community leaders.
Ms Jordaan, her team, as well as the RSCA executive, wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to all those who made donations, no matter how small or insignificant it was. Your generosity is warmly appreciated by all the beneficiaries who have also indicated that we should pass on their thanks to everybody.
The Square Hill Community Centre will continue to be used as a receiving and distribution point for donations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.
If you would like to make a donation contact me on 083 461 4949 for more information.