EnviroServ serves city’s homeless children

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The house, located at the corner of 2nd and 12th Avenue, is now a home for 21 children between the ages of one and 17.

Before it was officially handed over to the centre, EnviroServ bought the property a couple of months ago and revamped it to meet the requirements for its current use.

The house consists of a boys dormitory, girls dormitory, small children’s dormitory, ablution facilities, recreation room, a huge kitchen, a guest room, an office, an outdoor play area for children which consists of wooden climbing frame, slide swings and other facilities for children.

According to Makgabo van Niekerk, PRO at EnviroServ, the property complies with all safety and health standards.

The estimated cost of the project is R1 500 000. This project was made possible by the support of many individuals, agencies, companies and dedicated government officials as well as some community leaders.

These include Clr Hillary Coke and also Ekurhuleni Town Planning officials who guided EnviroServ through the zoning process.

Other roleplayers were the Tribunal, health inspector Peter James de Vries (who represented EnviroServ for free at the Tribunal Court), Van le Zac that provided both building labour as well as electrical free of charge, Harkon that trovided plumbing labour and material free of charge and also Olhhorst Group that donated all the tilling material at no cost.

The carpeting in the home was supplied and installed by Carpet World at no cost. The blinds were given to the orphanage by BlindValet and this was also done at no cost.

SA Industrial thoroughly cleaned the property before the children moved in, and promised that going forward they will do monthly deep cleaning as well as supply cleaning material and equipment.

Transfire supplied and installed fire equipment and safety signage at no cost.

“On behalf of the centre, I would like to thank EnviroServ Exco for opening their hearts and wallets at a time when the company could have easily turned a blind eye,” says van Niekerk.

“Our Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiatives always have the backing of the Exco, and it is a great feeling to know that the bosses have not turned ignored the social ills this country faces.”

Founders of the centre, Zandi and her husband Phineas Madlala, expressed their gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this project a success.

“It’s like moving from hell to heaven,” says Phineas.

Police officers from the Boksburg North SAPS also attended the official opening of the new home for orphans.

As a gesture of thanks to the good Samaritans, children of the centre performed several dance moves.