Lakehaven: help and healing
THREE months ago when a cottage at the Lakehaven Child and Youth Care Centre burnt down, killing eight youngsters, the generous spirit of Durban residents and corporate companies became evident when they immediately sprung into action to lend muchneeded support.
While some made monetary donations, others dropped off food items, toiletries, clothing and children’s toys to ensure the survivors’ lifestyles were not compromised.
Today, the generosity continues, said the executive director of Child Welfare Durban & District, Shehnaaz Gabru.
The welfare organisation has received about R1 million in donations and an abundance of food items, which have been further distributed to sister homes, refugee services and indigent clients.
“There were large truckloads of donations and it was important the food be shared because we had received so much,” Gabru told POST last week.
She related a story a security guard at the Lakehaven Child and Youth Care Centre had told her, which, she said, still tugged at her heart.
“People started calling our offices from the day the incident happened.
“They wanted to know what they could do, some even indicating they wanted to organise the funerals and memorial services.
“We were touched by the outpouring of love and you also realise the people of KZN have our backs. To date, people still want to help.
A few days after the fire, a man approached the security guard at the home in Sea Cow Lake and it looked as if he had barely anything for himself.
“He told the guard he could not come earlier as he had just been paid, and he dropped off a parcel of 250g sugar, 500ml oil, mealie meal and flour,” said Gabru, who tried to hold back tears.
“This was a terrible tragedy but it is also re-assuring to see that people still care.”
She said the children who survived the fire had gone through difficultly afterwards.
“When the post trauma started to manifest itself, councillors were brought in, and the children seem to be coping much better now.”
She said the remains of the cottage were a painful reminder to the children and had recently been covered.
It will be rebuilt into a media centre, and new cottage built to house children.
Gabru added that they were were in constant contact with the families of the deceased children, whose remains have still not been released, as DNA testing is still under way.
“It is beyond our control. The DNA report is still outstanding, as well as the fire report. We also want to know what happened.”
Gabru said they were also awaiting the report of an independent board of enquiry into the tragedy.