UPDATE: Orphanage in desperate need of help after fire
The boys' rooms, kitchen, laundry and roof were destroyed by the fire on Thursday night.
MBOMBELA – Betty Mandlazi’s daughters are scrambling to keep the children who are in the care of Betty’s Haven fed, clothed and sheltered after a fire devastated the orphanage on Thursday night.
Sonto Mahlangu told Lowvelder that her mother received treatment for smoke inhalation but was discharged later on Friday.
Wish list:
• They are in urgent need of boys’ and girls’ clothes and shoes for ages two months as well as three to 21 years old
• They don’t have enough bedding or tents
• They also need toiletries, cleaning products, kitchenware and food.
Confirmed drop-off points are:
• The Methodist Church on the corner of Ehmke and Van Der Merwe streets. The office is open until 12:30 and a caretaker is on scene until 16:00 every day.
• Lowveld Media’s offices at 12 Stinkhout Crescent during work hours (Monday to Friday, 08:00 to 17:00).
• Emnotweni next to Movies@Emnotweni in Riverside Mall.
• To offer assistance, contact Mahlangu directly on 079-726-4042.
Betty’s Haven loses everything in fire – November 16, 09:20
NELSVILLE – Betty’s Haven Orphanage went up in flames last night.
A fire broke out at the orphanage at around 21:00.
Betty Mandlazi has been running the centre for years.
Her daughter, Sonto Mahlangu, explained that the structure remains but everything inside has been lost.
“Everything is gone,” she said. “The beds, the clothes, fridges, food.”
They were able to retrieve the 16 children who live at the centre. Mahlangu, who lives next door, has taken them in, but they are planning to move back to the centre.
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“We don’t have enough bedding,” she said.
The roof has also been severely damaged and all the children’s clothes were lost.
To offer assistance, contact Mahlangu on 0797264042.
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