Looted Vulamehlo Hospice needs help to rebuild after repeat burglaries

A Melville township hospice that was looted in July has since repeatedly suffered break-ins.

Vulamehlo Hospice has lost a washing machine, tumbler dryer, cubicle, tables and chairs, sewing machines, fans, bookshelves, a screen and other valuable items in the looting and subsequent burglaries.

One of the founders, Elizabeth Khumalo said she they needed a solution or they would have to close the hospice.

“As I speak we have just discovered that last night someone took some of our chairs. This is giving me sleepless nights and I am not sure what they want from us? Should we rather close this place? But what about the people we look after that need us the most, at the same time, the pain of these break-ins is too much,” said a distraught Khumalo.

Some relief was brought to the struggling hospice by Zebbies Lighting, who donated a much-needed four plate stove last week.

Vulamehlo Hospice opened in 2008 and looks after 8 patients in-house and more than 50 people in their homes.

Professional nurse Busisiwe Stella Mhlongo thanked Zebbies for helping them with the stove.

“Now I can even bake for my friends (patients) because I enjoy baking. Thank you to Zebbies Lighting and The North Coast Courier Orphan Fund for helping us,” said Mhlongo.

National sales and marketing manager for Zebbies Lighting, Sandy Marshall said: “I was almost in tears when they told me about what they have gone through and yet people like Elizabeth keep on doing amazing work. I am really happy that we managed to help with a much-needed stove and we will also replace their lights that were stolen,” said Marshall.

The Orphan Fund fundraising coordinator, Mpume Vilakazi, appealed to other good Samaritans to assist Vulamehlo in re-supplying what they lost.

If you want to help the hospice, you can call Mpume at 032 946 0276

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