A devastating fire engulfed one of the floors of the Louis Botha Kinderhuis children’s home in Queenswood late Monday afternoon, leaving behind a trail of destruction.
While the extent of the damage is severe, there is immense relief that no injury was reported, and all the children were swiftly relocated to another house on the premises under the care of their guardians.
CEO Charlene Grobler expressed profound gratitude towards the community for their immediate response and support during the crisis.
The local community promptly addressed the urgent needs, with assistance pouring in from various quarters including the fire department, local CPF, and trauma counsellors who provided on-site aid to the affected 12 boys.
As investigations into the cause of the fire are underway, the findings will be released following discussions with the management.
An 18-year-old resident, whose room was the epicentre of the fire, has lost everything and is now in dire need of essentials such as clothes, toiletries and bedding.
Despite only a fraction of its expenses being covered by a quarterly state subsidy, the home heavily relies on community support to bridge the financial gap.
However, the unforeseen financial strain caused by the fire underscores the urgent need for additional assistance from the community.
The overarching goal of the home remains unchanged – to nurture and empower the children in its care, enabling them to make positive contributions to their communities in the future.
For those willing to extend a helping hand, contact Louis Botha Kinderhuis on 012 333 6184 or via email at info@louisbothachildren.co.za.
*Please note that this article has been amended
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