Angel assistance after devastating fire at Louis Botha Children's Home
After a devastating fire left 12 boys at the Louis Botha Children’s Home with nothing, the Angels came together and assisted them with R100,000.
It happened last Tuesday late afternoon. All 12 boys and three caregivers of House 11 at Louis Botha Children’s Home, were downstairs for homework and study time.
One of the caregivers went upstairs to get something from her room, when she smelt smoke and then she saw the flames coming from one of the boys' bedrooms.
"We have much to be thankful for, it could have been so much worse," says Charlene Grobler, CEO of the Louis Botha Children's Home.
READ: Changing lives with more than R500,000 on Good Morning Angels
They were able to contain the fire and evacuate everybody safely.
The damage to the home is extensive. The areas that did not burn have smoke and water damage. Beds and bedding, clothing, school supplies and personal belongings were all ruined.
"The community has been extremely generous in our time of need. We have received a donation of 12 beds, bedding and mattresses. Clothing and other items have been donated. We could move the boys into a vacant house that needs renovation, so at least we could keep their little family together," says Charlene. They are still not clear on how the fire started - the assessor ruled the cause as inconclusive.
They are also still awaiting the final assessment from the building insurance, but believe they will be able to start the structural repair soon. However, they do not have insurance on the contents of the house like appliances, carpets, bookshelves and kitchen cabinets. And that is why several listeners contacted Good Morning Angels to help.
REQUEST FOR: House 11 at Louis Botha Children's home, represented by Charlene Grobler, CEO of the home
REQUEST FROM: Several listeners, including Hayley Smith
ANGEL 1: Sumarie Greybe, co-founder of Naked Insurance
SPONSORING: Naked Insurance will donate R50,000 towards repairs and needs after the fire damage at House 11 at Louis Botha Children's Home as part of the Naked Difference. The Naked Difference programme ensures that in years when claims are lower than expected, Naked Insurance donates leftover premiums to good causes instead of taking it as profit.
ANGEL 2: The Good Morning Angels Fund NPC
READ: Ensuring a bright future for those with special needs
SPONSORING: The Good Morning Angels Fund will match the donation, with another R50 000 towards replacing what was lost during the fire at House 11 at Louis Botha Children’s Home.
ORIGINAL REQUEST:
Good morning, Angels team!
I am sending this email with a very sore heart this morning. I am an employee at Jakaranda Kinderhuis as well as Louis Botha Kinderhuis.
Yesterday afternoon, a fire broke out at Louis Botha Kinderhuis in House 11. This house is a boys house with boys age 9 to 18 years. The fire broke out in the one boy's room (18 year old) who has unfortunately lost all of his personal belongings, however the whole upper level has severe damage. 80% of the upper level’s structure is damaged, leaving our boys without rooms or belongings. Thankfully no one was hurt and all staff and children were accounted for. This particular house, houses 12 boys and 3 adults.
We have reached out far and wide on our social media platforms and our community have been angels on their own, however we are in desperate need for financial assistance to repair the house to living standards again.
I have attached an image of the one boys room so you can see the extent of the damage, the needs of the children in short.
I am hoping, with all my beliefs in the Good Morning Angels, that you will be able to assist the Kinderhuis in some way.
Regards,
Hayley Smith
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
Image: Supplied