Thank you for the spirit of ubuntu in Booysens
The incident has since gone viral and many other organisations have come on board.
On January 22, I received a call from numerous residents that the Booysens informal settlement was in flames.
As the PR councillor for Ward 124, I immediately rushed to the scene along Booysens Station Street, where huge flames were engulfing the settlement in a westerly direction.
The heat could be felt from the road.
Thankfully no lives were lost; however, a women’s leg was injured and she at the temporary shelter. I saw her again on January 25, she is much better and recovering well.
This is by far the worst fire I’ve come across in the Booysens informal settlement. However, on Friday afternoon after meeting with disaster management and with the help of councillor Alex Christians in Ward 58 and Mohammed from Islamic Relief SA, we put together a WhatsApp group, with many organisations and people that came from all over to assist with food, blankets, toiletries, PPE, clothes and the like.
I would like to thank these organisations and people in the spirt of ubuntu for bringing much-needed assistance and relief to the people of the settlement.
Organisations involved in assisting the Booysens community that we know of: Islamic Relief South Africa, MealSA, SANMWF, Falaah Projects, Muslimahs Making a Difference, Gift of the givers, Al-Imdaad Foundation, SIA, Shoprite, Ashraful Aid, Gift of Merciful Hearts, Meals on wheels, Red Cross, Tzu-chi Foundation, Jamiatul Ulama South Africa, FEED and Robertsham Tenants Association.
The incident has since gone viral and many other organisations have come on board. Unfortunately, I don’t have all their names, but may they be blessed as well.
I once more take the opportunity to thank all these organisations for the assistance, during this pandemic we acknowledge the spirt of the human race coming together to help one another.
Tyrell Meyers, 082 572 8925
ALSO READ:
WATCH: Booysens informal settlement fire destroys over 1, 000 shacks
