Flood victims from the Sakhelenathi informal settlement had a reason to celebrate over the weekend when the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa in Ilitha Park handed them blankets.
At least 25 people, whose shacks were affected by the recent floods, benefited from the initiative on Saturday 7 October.
Xolani Tukwayo, Sakhelenathi community leader, praised the congregants for the initiative. He said it made them happy to see people who cared about others.
He added that the church members were God sent.
“We are very happy with the new blankets. We didn’t expect anything from anyone. These blankets will make a difference as some of our belongings were damaged during the floods,” said Tukwayo, adding that his refrigerator was also damaged by the floods.
He labelled the living conditions in the area as getting out of hand, with crime rate increasing exponentially. He appealed for basic municipal services.
The church treasurer Ncumisa Mene described the initiative as part of giving back to the community.
She said they could not sit back and watch while some people required help.
Mene stated that they are fulfilling God’s words that say, ‘Blessed is the hand that gives than the one that receives’.
She stated that the church has done various projects to assist needy people in the communities.
She stated that their church is also part of the community.