Destitute families need work
IVORY PARK - Two families in Ivory Park are seeking the help of community members with employment.
Albert Dlongolo and his wife Lorraine Lala and their son, who is not named for his protection, were staying afloat until he lost his job as a cleaner in July.
“Although we’ve never made enough to build a home of our own, we rented out a brick back room in somebody’s yard. Now that I don’t have an income, we are moving into this [corrugated iron sheet room],” said Dlongolo, pointing to their new dwelling.
Their landlord has promised to fix the holes in the wall and to cement the floor that is currently just sand. They are worried about changing weather conditions.
“When it is hot, this room is extremely hot. When it is cold, this room is extremely cold,” he said.
Lala is more worried about schooling for their child. “We moved around so much this year, I would like for him to move to a school that is nearby,” she said.
“The problem with registering him in a school close by, we will have the extra costs of a new school uniform.
“Then again, if we keep him where he is, we will have money for transport.”
Lala has also been looking for a job to no avail. “I have only ever been a cleaner, that is what I know what to do,” she said.
In another area of Ivory Park lives a single mother, Nancy Ramano, who is raising her three young children in a shack. Although, Duncan, her four-year-old son is old enough to start pre-school, he has never been to school.
“I can’t afford for him to go to school,” said Ramano.
“All I need is a job. I would literally do anything. I am not picky when it comes to jobs.”
Life 4 U Foundation has been helping these two families keep food on the table but they are also feeling the strain.
Chairperson of the organisation, Mpho Mofokeng said, “We are a community outreach programme, however, there is only so much we can do. These two families are desperate for work and, truly speaking, that is the only sustainable solution to their problems.”
Details: life4ufoundation@workmail.co.za
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