Captions from left to right: Pauline Malatji with Councillor Malebo and a friend outside her mother's new home, Khuthaza volunteers, Blondie Njotini and Bonolo Senokwane sitting in the shade, Pauline with some of the volunteers after the house handover.
The blazing sun and heat in Tembisa on Thursday, 8 October, did not deter the spirit of volunteerism and excitement among the groups that arrived for the volunteer build. There were 75 participants in total: 50 from Khuthaza (formerly known as Women in Construction), 10 from Intaprop, 14 from Metropolitan Health Group and one individual.
Armed with their tools and supplies, the group was divided into 10 teams, eight of which were block-laying and the other two were painting. The team that painted the handover house was in very high spirits and could be heard singing in celebration of their joy in being able to hand 'their' house over to the beneficiary at the end of the day.
Despite the heat and hard work, the volunteers never complained and put their heart and souls into the day.
At the end of the day the group gathered outside the handover house and more joyous singing and ululating was heard. The beneficiary, Magdaleen Malatji, was not present at the handover as she is in Limpopo, but her daughter Pauline, accepted the key on her behalf from Councillor Greg Malebo. Magdaleen and her family have lived in a shack for the past 15 years. So it was a very special occasion for Pauline as she cut the ceremonial ribbon on the front door and invited the volunteers to visit her mother's house. She said her mother would move into the house this weekend.
When asked on her beneficiary profile if she thought her new home would improve her life, Magdaleen responded: "Yes, the struggle is over".
We would like to thank the volunteers for their support and participation in the build yesterday. Their contribution will be felt within the community of Tembisa for many years to come.
Mandy, Morne and the MHI Staff
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