THE relentless rains and frequent flooding across Amanzimtoti has piled on the struggles for businesses and households affected. The Elders Voice KZN’s Riverside Road home has been burdened with among the worst of the floods during the past few weeks and members of the local community have lent aid wherever possible.

Also read: [Video] Evacuations after old age home floods in Amanzimtoti

Two schools, Kingsway High School (KHS) and Doon Heights Primary School (DHPS), sent out their maintenance teams to help with the clean-up operations at the home on February 27. Siyanda Mzulwini, Paul Laycock and Thobeka Ngubo came out to assist from DHPS, while Stanley Memela and Johannes Dlamini from KHS helped out alongside Siboniso Cele, from Elders Voice.

Joann Herbst, founder of the non-profit organisation, said, “Amid the recent storms, Elders Voice home in Amanzimtoti has flooded, yet the spirit of community remains unbroken. Thank you so much to Doon Heights Primary and Kingsway High School for coming and helping us with the clean-up today. We are beyond grateful for the extra hands and help. Together, we rise above the storm and rebuild, hand in hand.”

She explained that during the first bout of floods, the organisation used its typical evacuation plan, safely moving its elderly residents to safety. Since then, after doing their best to clean up, some of the elderly were brought back as they have not been able to adapt to where they were moved to.

“There are people who died, people who got hurt, we’re okay. We are thankful no one was hurt. The C-block is uninhabitable. What we need is just a bit of grace and a bit of time to get things sorted. We’re eating, sleeping, shoving water out. Dalene Heath of Toti Community Assist has been really phenomenal. I phoned her and told her what had happened and she contacted everybody and guys from Start came, people from the community came and helped carry beds and people out. We are so thankful for everyone’s help,” said Herbst.

Smiling through the tears, Herbst remained resolute and assured that The Elders Voice is going to be okay.

“Help us restore our home again, that’s all we want. If you’ve got some perishable or non-perishable groceries, think of us. If you’ve got a spare refrigerator or washing machine and a television lying around, that would be really cool because none of ours works,” joked Herbst. She added that the organisation has to buy groceries daily, and asked the community to help with whatever they can spare to feed the elderly residents.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom at 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.