Final push to complete abuse shelter in Mzingazi

Eight years of perseverance is finally paying off as community worker Sharon Mdletshe prepares to add the final touches to the Eagles Wings Shelter for abused women and children in Mzingazi.

The passionate and dynamic pensioner who has been a community volunteer serving in Community Policing Forums, SAPS trauma room, charity work and advocating for the poor for four decades, is appealing to businesses and the community to assist her complete the shelter’s building project.

Having dedicated her life to the service of others, by building houses, supporting families with groceries, meals, clothing, assisting them to access social grants and ensuring children receive stationery and other basic essentials, Mdletshe decided to start the shelter project when she reached retirement age.

For Mdletshe, the shelter was her final project to leave a lasting legacy in her community and to address the ongoing plight of domestic violence and abuse which has plagued society and her community for decades.

”We are so grateful to Tronox who sponsored the doors and windows for the building and now we can continue with the plastering, plumbing, tiling, electrification and installation of plugs, switches and the ceiling.

‘We still need support to complete the final building activities as well as to furnish the premises to host our beneficiaries.

”In 2017, I committed a piece of my land overlooking Lake Mzingazi to erect this centre as it is a project very close to my heart having volunteered in the community for decades and working closely with the SAPS, crime and trauma victims.

“As a Community Policing Forum representative and volunteer at the Richards Bay SAPS trauma room, I had first-hand experience of the violence affecting families and the impact of unemployment and crime in the area.

‘”It is a painful experience to have abused families reach out for help in the middle of the night and there is no place to take them to as we do not have a shelter in Richards Bay.

“We know this centre will assist our law enforcement and welfare agencies as well and would like to have this project as soon as possible to begin our work in helping the vulnerable in our community.

”While this is a shelter for abused women and children, it will also provide programmes for the youth and community to encourage income-generating initiatives such as beadwork, sewing and vegetable gardens,” she said.

Any donations or sponsorships can be directed to Mdletshe on 083 8723384.