RELIEF FOR MASIPHUMELELE FIRE VICTIMS

Two people died and about 5 000 lost everything in a fire in Masiphumelele near Fish Hoek in Cape Town’s Far South in the early hours of Sunday 29 November. The fire destroyed about 1 000 shacks.

Living Hope, a centre close to Masiphumelele that supports people affected and infected by HIV/Aids and other chronic diseases, immediately opened its doors to donors wishing to help those impacted by the fire. Residents and businesses of the Far South have been generous in their response, as have others further afield such as Mariswe’s Cape Town office.

Cape Town office manager Adrian Skea personally delivered half a tonne of water in 1,5 litre bottles to Living Hope on Tuesday 1 December to assist those with no access to water who are waiting for the rubble to be removed so they can rebuild their shacks.

He asked Living Hope what was urgently needed and then delivered about 100 sets of toothbrushes, face cloths, plastic cups, plates, knives and forks, Vaseline and cable ties to bind donated shoes together in pairs. He also worked with other volunteers sorting food supplies for the rest of the day.

Mariswe donated R3 000 towards this effort, with Adrian adding R2 000 from his own pocket. Remaining funds from the donation will be spent on other goods needed for the relief effort.

Well done to Adrian and the staff of Mariswe Cape Town for caring.

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