Joyous moment for kids, but they need a home
STANDERTON – For more than a decade Ms Wendy Tshabalala has devoted her life to make a difference in the lives of less fortunate kids and old people infected with HIV-Aids.
A temporary shelter at the Spoornet houses next to Standerton railway station is home to fifty children, most of which are orphans.
About forty men and women, young and old living with HIV-Aids and TB were receiving home-base care provided by Empilweni Drop Centre and Hospices. Most of the kids came from poverty stricken families in Mahala Park area and Chivovo Section of Sakhile. Ms Tshabalala provided a feeding scheme for children as young as five years to 14 years, particularly orphans. But things took a nasty turn early in 2015 when the shelter was taken over by Spoornet. This left the centre with no home.
For the last five months Ms Tshabalala was afforded an opportunity to prepare meals for kids at Thusong Services Centre’s kitchen in Sakhile once a week.
On Tuesday last week Mama Tshabalala, as she is fondly called by her children, prepared meals for 45 children. The children also received warm jerseys for the winter, thanks to Ms Thandi Ndlovu who donated jerseys and boxes of mixed ingredients for soup to the children.
Mr Mahlobo, a warden at Standerton Correctional Centre, donated food parcels as well. It was indeed a joyous celebration for kids. Ms Tshabalala has since secured a site from Lekwa Local Municipality to build a new home for Empilweni Centre and Hospices for elderly people. She therefore appeals for donations of building material from the business sector and individuals. For more information please call Ms P Ntsimbi on 017 714 7719 at the Thusong Service Center.
DM