Following a devastating fire on Boxing Day (December 26) at the TR Bongani informal settlement, Site B, victims breathed a collective sigh of relief when they received food parcels and clothes from the members of Harare Masjid and Islamic Learning Centre on Thursday 6 January.
At least 44 shacks were destroyed during the incident and more than 90 people left destitute.
Founder of the centre Ntsikelelo Ntintili described the gesture as part of giving back to the community. The centre is well known for empowering community members with life skills in a bid to alleviate poverty.
Ntintili said it was not the first time they assist the community. “As a centre we always assist where we can in the community, but it depends on the situation at hand. I was so touched when I heard about the incident, especially that it happened in the midst of the pandemic. I decided to intervene by donating food,” said Ntintili.
One of the victims, Nosakhe Vumendlini, thanked the members of the centre. She said their main challenge is to get building material to rebuild their shacks.
“I’m unemployed. I don’t have money to buy the new building materials. For now I’m squatting at my relatives in Site C,” said Vumendlini. She stated that she lost all her belongings in the shack fire.