Call for help to rebuild shacks in flooded Jim se Bos
Community leaders have teamed up to help rebuild homes for flood victims in Jim se Bos informal settlement in Philippi.
The floods in July left many families destitute.
Pastor Raymond Katts from NPO Love in Action Movement SA had housed four families at his church hall in Schaapkraal.
Pastor Katts said he had contacted the City of Cape Town for help to pump out the water flooding the informal settlement grounds.
However, the City responded to Southern Mail and said: “‘The City is looking into this matter. This is privately owned land, and while the City always sees what feasible assistance may be provided, it is limited in the scope of offerings.”
Although Pastor Katts and his team have rebuilt two family’s shacks, they still need essentials such as furniture and blankets to make it a home again.
Noxolo Oerson, 34, was waiting to move into her new home with her three children aged 8, 5 and 3. She said they also needed clothing and baby items.
Iona Gelderbloem, 58, who suffers from arthritis and hypertension, said she couldn’t walk due to the cold. “Pastor really tried to get the water out from the informal settlement. My daughter and my granddaughter, 4, and grandson, 2 need shoes. One was hospitalised for a day with croup.”
Pastor Katts said as the City is not able to assist he was trying to get the ball rolling by asking for donations.
To move the water, he was offered a pump from a donor and he has decided to hire another pump.
“Not getting help from the City makes it very difficult. We have assessed that some shacks are still filled with water. We have received help from Imam Abdulla Raban, the Sheihk, from Dar Al Tarbiyah Trust, who donated veggies, Ahmad Khan gave a financial contribution, Pastor Theo Bowers, of Treasure Chest Ministries from Canada and AWC from Florida in America contributed to the funds for the materials to build the shacks.”
“We made an assessment, and we saw the water was not going anywhere. People are getting frustrated. There are elderly people who are now living and sleeping in someone else’s kitchen. The people need new furniture, beds and if the community wants to donate furniture, such as cupboards and tables. I have transport to collect the stuff.
“One woman had little and when she moved into the church hall, they stole all her cutlery and crockery. Hopefully in the next week or two we will be able to help more people,” said Pastor Katts.
At the time of the floods, Islamic Relief came to help people with food and blankets.
However, Pastor Katts said women from their organisation are now cooking and feeding people daily.
“I am a retired firefighter and I am reaching out to the chief fire officer because we need a tanker because there is no drain system at Jim se Bos. If that does not materialise then we need to pump the water into the bush area.”
To donate furniture, materials to rebuild shacks, water pumps, clothing, appliances and food, contact Pastor Katts at 083 375 4509.