Durban rallies for kids’ home
Love and kindness in wake of tragic fatal blaze
DURBAN and the rest of the country have opened their hearts and their wallets to help the stricken children at the Lakehaven Children’s Home in Sea Cow Lake.
Eight boys aged between 8 and 19 were burnt to death in the children’s home early on Thursday morning. Ten children were treated for smoke inhalation.
Durban residents awoke to the news and soon rallied to provide support in cash and kind for the home, a division of Child Welfare Durban & District.
While police and the fire department are still investigating the fire, media reports and comments online have questioned why the boys’ quarters had been locked.
The local community was the first to respond.
Jesse Singh of the Kenville Sea Cow Lake area that surrounds the home said he was proud of the way the community had come together.
“Residents in Sea Cow Lake and Kenville were wonderful and came together to offer their support. The messages went out on the WhatsApp ratepayer groups and other community groups in these areas, and I also then posted them on Facebook.
“People from as far as Johannesburg responded and wanted to help by sending money.”
He posted online yesterday: “Overwhelming to see the outpouring of love and care shown to Lakehaven Children’s Home. It’s been awkward with the police barricade, but people have sent stuff from as far as JHB.”
He said the local ratepayers’ organisation had also gone out of its way, using its vehicles to pick up items from people who wished to donate.
“Literally, they have gone to each person who wanted to help and then donated the items to the home. As a community we stand together.”
Non-profit organisation Just Us 4 Children also lent a helping hand. Its director, Nicky Hardwick, said: “We don’t have children of our own in the organisation, but we help others who do, and we focus largely on children who are suffering abuse,” she said.
They had managed to obtain donations from Powerhouse Clothing Co, which donated clothes; the Durban Christian Centre Jesus Dome, which donated blankets and other items; Apache River Spur, which donated burgers and soft drinks; and many other organisations.
“People can also come to Apache River Spur to leave their donations,” she said.
The Gift of the Givers and Container Ministry – Grace Family Church had also heard the group’s plea and donated several items to the home.
Jodie-Lee Donnison of Durban North began collecting donations for the children upon hearing of the fire.
“We have received tremendous support from people sending in boxes of clothes, blankets and toiletries. Some have sent us mattresses, and one of the companies offered to sponsor us with food,” she said.
Donnison said donations were still open until Monday, and people could drop off their supplies at Crossfit Durban North, near Action Cricket in Rinaldo Road.
Rotary Club of Durban Umhlatuzana member Jan Thathiah said the fire was tragic and the club’s members immediately decided to help.
Gift of the Givers and East Coast Radio will be delivering donations to the home in the coming week.
Child Welfare Durban & District’s executive director, Shehnaaz Gabru, was not available for comment yesterday, and an employee of the organisation said they were not speaking to the media.
Child Welfare Durban & District updated its social media platforms yesterday and responded to dozens of queries from people asking how they could help.
Banking details for the organisation were being shared online, as well as a list of its needs, including small appliances, school shoes and bags, and food and towels.
KwaZulu-Natal SAPS spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane, said police were still investigating the fire. He said they could not speculate on its cause.
Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan sent his condolences to the children’s home.