Glencore brings a smile to the disadvantaged

LYDENBURG – In an endeavour to make a difference, Glencore Lydenburg Smelters revamped a home for Ama Wheelies.

The new house to which it had recently moved, was not suitable for people in wheelchairs. The company installed ramps in and outside the house, and fixed built-in cupboard doors and leaking pipes in the yard.

Ama Wheelies serves the spinally injured community in Lydenburg as a home and rehabilitation centre.

It helps victims of traumatic accidents, victims of violent car hijacking and victims of abuse.

Mr Moses Mlombo, chairman of Ama Wheelies, said they were grateful that Glencore had decided to help because it was difficult for them to manoeuvre their wheelchairs in the house and yard.

“We can now access our garage, garden, and it is very easy to move from one place to another with our wheelchairs,” said Mlombo.

“Our clothes are now also packed in nice cupboards and now that they have fixed the plumbing, we can also move around in the garden,” he added.

The group recently moved to town. It had previously been on a farm which was far from most of the people’s daily needs. “We are delighted to live in town.

Now we can easily reach the hospital and all the other emergency services,” he said.

“We thank Glencore for helping us renovate our new home and for making sure that we are well taken care of. We would like to urge it to continue helping people in our community It must not end with us and we hope that this is the beginning of many other projects we will do together,” he concluded.