Vita Nova Centre’s men’s hostel has been given a fresh new look following a refurbishment project by Alstom Ubunye. The upgraded facility was officially handed over on March 19.

The renovation focused on creating a safer, more accessible and comfortable environment for the men living at the centre, many of whom have conditions such as autism, cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus.

Alstom carried out extensive improvements, including repainting the interior, replacing damaged flooring and upgrading bathrooms.

Electrical and lighting systems were upgraded, the roof was waterproofed, and structural maintenance was completed. The company also donated beds, heaters and washing machines.

Centre director Michelle Immelman expressed her appreciation for the support, describing the refurbishment as long overdue.

“Although the hostel was always clean, you need to keep in mind that next year we are turning 50, so it has deteriorated over time. It was in a terrible state. There was mould in the ceilings, dents in the walls and the tiling was bad,” she said.

She added that the improvements will make a meaningful difference in residents’ lives.

“It’s such an improvement for the lives of the residents, and that makes us happy,” she said.
Immelman explained that while maintenance is important, the centre’s main focus is always on caring for residents.

“There is always work here at the centre. The first priority is to take care of the residents, to feed them and provide their basic needs, so maintenance sometimes gets pushed aside. We need people like Alstom and support from the community,” she said.

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She added that the centre remains grateful for the continued support from the Springs community and the city. Wiseman Dladla, human resources director at Alstom, said the company remains committed to supporting communities.

“We are always partnering with communities, and Vita Nova is a long-standing partner. This is not the first time we have supported them. When you look at the beneficiaries being accommodated at the centre, it was important for us to assist,” he said.

Dladla explained that the project planning and implementation took about nine months, with renovations starting in December.

“We sourced workers from the local community and provided the necessary resources,” he said.

He encouraged other businesses and community members to play a role in uplifting the Springs area.

“Let us all partner in improving our communities by supporting initiatives like this. We receive more than 100 requests each year and, unfortunately, cannot assist all of them. Those we are able to support are encouraged to take care of the contributions made,” Dladla said.