MEMBERS of Ushintsho Lwethu (Our Change) distributed 150 pairs of shoes to members of the Siyathuthuka Informal Settlement on Saturday as part of their charity drive. The NPO which is grassroots based, hopes to provide help by bringing about greater social involvement from the disadvantaged communities they serve. The charity started by Imraan Mbonambi, Habeeb Milanzi and Dawood Frickra has been supporting the community by providing meals for them on a Monday afternoon.

However, it was after the floods last year which destroyed several homes that the trio decided to help support the impoverished community.

“After those heavy rains we supported the community by donating blankets and clothes and we committed ourselves to help giving back to the community. In creating that relationship, we began handing out food parcels every Monday and it was after the fire which destroyed 48 homes at the settlement that we decided to donate shoes to the residents who lost everything in the fire. Next month we plan to bring a donation of school shoes as there are many youngsters in the settlement who don’t have proper school shoes,” Frickra said.

VIDEO: 48 homes destroyed by fire at informal settlement …

He added the organisation also had plans to build a religious school near the settlement.

Chairperson of the settlement, Innocent Mathaba said he was blown away by the gesture.

“We did not expect this and the community are grateful and thankful for the help from Ushintsho Lwethu. They were part of the very few people who came to our aid after the fire earlier this year and we have managed to start working together with initiatives to help uplift the community,” Mathaba said.

For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follows us Instagram