Hope after tragedy for Miriam's children
2011-07-28
Lise Beyers
ALTHOUGH many tears were shed on Friday at the emotionally charged funeral of the toddler who died in a fire in Mbekweni last week, there is hope for the survivors, as a new home will soon be built for them. Tragedy struck last week at Miriam’s House of Safety, when a fire which started at neighbouring informal homes, destroying her shelter for orphaned and unwanted children. A two-year-old boy, Jacob Bongco, died in the tragedy. At the time of the fire there were 20 children in Miriam’s care. Miriam’s plight touched the hearts of people throughout the Drakenstein area. Strangers arrived on her burnt down doorstep with arms filled with donations of clothes and food, or even just love. The Drakenstein Municipality also took note of the tragic fire and building plans for a permanent structure for Miriam’s home which was submitted for perusal a month before the fire, were handled with urgency and builders have been given the go-ahead to start building the house. Pioneer Foods has donated R60 000 towards an emergency fund for the home and Build-It and Builders Trade hardware stores have each donated thousands of rands worth of building materials towards the project. The children of Miriam’s Home, who had been left destitute, have found accommodation at a house belonging to Monte Christo Miqlat Ministries in Van der Lingen Street, Paarl. They will be housed here under the supervision of a non-profit organisation, The Grape Community, until their new home is built. Anton du Toit of ADT Construction, who will be overseeing the building of Miriam’s new house, said that they had been overwhelmed by the community’s outpouring of generosity. “Due to many kind donations we are all engines go to start building next week. Miriam’s new house will have four bedrooms, as well as another two in the loft, educational play areas, a kitchen and a bathroom. “If all goes well, it will be completed in two months’ time.” Annemarie Viljoen of the Grape Community, who is a major roleplayer of Miriam’s House of Safety, said that the response of the public has been overwhelming. “This has been in the true spirit of mankind. Donations have poured in and these will be used to rebuild the lives of children who have so very little, except hope.” An elated Miriam Toni, this week said that last week was the worst in her entire life, but the help from the community has made her see the light again. “I cannot thank everyone enough. It is wonderful how people have reacted to my children’s plight.” Miriam said that one of the major problems which they now have, is that of transport. The children of her home all go to schools and preprimary schools in Mbekweni, and it has been a costly affair getting them between the two towns daily. “I will be very grateful if somebody could help us with this problem.” Miriam can be contacted on 072 738 9274 or email cutiemirrie@gmail.com.
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