Ubuntu helps storm-hit Westlake recover
Donations of clothing, blankets and food have poured into storm-hit Westlake from surrounding communities to aid residents still reeling from recent heavy rains and flooding.
The Operation Stormy Westlake donation drive is being coordinated by Cecile Antonie, of Tokai, who says the response from Westlake’s neighbouring communities is proof that the spirit of ubuntu is still strong in South Africa.
The campaign has provided 25 families with clothes, blankets and food after their shacks at Westlake soccer field were damaged or flooded by a week of howling winds and heavy rains that started on Sunday July 7.
Ms Antonie worked with the Westlake Development Forum, an NGO, and appealed for donations on Tokai, Kirstenhof and Constantia community groups on Facebook and WhatsApp.
In response, she said, they received scores of bags and boxes with clothes and blankets spilling out. “So many people couldn't stop giving,” she said.
With a lull in the weather on Friday evening July 12, the operation started distributing clothes and blankets from the Acts Mission Church in Westlake, first to those affected by the floods and then to others in need.
More than 300 people were helped that evening, Ms Antonie said.
“We had baby clothes, we had shoes. We gave one guy socks. You know that a pair of socks made the difference. I'm a hardcore news journalist, and I was so moved that night.”
A cash donation from Michael Webb, an American visitor to South Africa, kick-started the operation’s feeding scheme.
“Mr Webb came to help us with his family on Friday evening, and when he was leaving, he gave me a thousand rand in my hand and said do what you need to do with it.”
Ms Antonie said the money was used to feed victims of the storm.
She then made another appeal, calling it Operation Feeding Westlake, asking for donations of food.
“Now we have a feeding scheme going where we feed the displaced folks, the elderly and the community almost every evening,” Ms Antonie said.
“On Monday July 22, the operation went door to door to distribute small food hampers to 25 other vulnerable families within the community. This is over and above the food hampers given to storm-hit residents that will be provided weekly.”
Monique Meyer, who runs the kitchen for the feeding scheme, said the response had been overwhelmingly positive.
“For the years that I've been doing community work, this is the first time I've seen so many people pouring out of their hearts.”
She added though that there was a greater need in Westlake that extended well beyond the 25 families hard hit by the storm.
Westlake Development Forum chairperson Jennifer Fodo said the storm-hit residents had tried to repair their shacks as best they could, but the dwellings remained vulnerable.
“Residents are putting plastic on their roofs. Most of these people don't have electricity and are using candles and paraffin. It's very dangerous. What if it catches fire? We are still looking for donors to assist until their situation is better.”
For more information about how you can help, email Westlakedevforum@gmail.com.
