Gift of Givers to rescue as fire guts shelter

THE Zanokhanyo Children’s Safety Home in Khayelitsha was destroyed in a fire caused by petty thieves.

Reports said a teenage boy tried to break into the shelter, entered the backyard and seemed to have been busy with a box of matches just before the shack at the back of the home caught alight yesterday morning.

The shack contained old clothing and a few insignificant items. The fire spread from the shack to the children’s home while the children were asleep.

The kitchen, which contained two stoves, two washing machines and all the kids clothing, burnt down.

“The school uniforms and stationery were all destroyed,” said Yondela Nyongo, director of the shelter.

“The children have lost the little that they had and have no place to call home. It is sad that someone trying to break in has left 16 without a home.”

There are 16 children and two caretakers in the shelter.

Thanks to the exceptional help from the Gift of the Givers, the home still remains hopeful.

“Gift of the Givers were the first to come out to assist. Their donation was much needed as we didn’t even know what we were going to eat,” said Nyongo.

“Our highest priority for now is to arrange temporary accommodation.

“The home caters for 26 orphans and we provided 26 mattresses, 52 blankets and hot meals,” said Ali Sablay, Gift of the Givers project manager in the Western Cape.

“They were also provided with drinking water and non-perishable food items.