Residents of Ethembeni squatter camp in Joza were surprised and excited on Tuesday afternoon when the
Grahamstown Retired Nurses Group (GRNG) donated clothes and served soup and bread to the grateful residents.
Residents of Ethembeni squatter camp in Joza were surprised and excited on Tuesday afternoon when the
Grahamstown Retired Nurses Group (GRNG) donated clothes and served soup and bread to the grateful residents.
All the clothes were laid on the ground and people had to choose their favourite items. One of the Ethembeni residents who did not want to be identified said that she can’t remember the last time she went shopping for clothes.
“Good things happen unexpectedly, this is the first time ever that social attention has been paid to our poor community,” said Nompumelelo Myaphi, a 49-year-old mother of four.
Mluleki Mthoba, an unemployed 28-year-old said “I think that the municipality has forgotten about us we don’t have water and electricity here but we are part of Grahamstown. Most people that live here have given up on life because of the conditions that they are living under.”
The GRNG was formed in May 2002 by retired nurses who used to work in various hospitals in Grahamstown.
“After we had retired we felt that we were not getting enough attention from the hospitals we used to work for,” said Thandiwe Norman, a member of GRNG from Newtown.
“People had forgotten about us even if someone passed away there would be no formal memorial service that shows dignity and that really hurts.”
Another GRNG member, Nozipho Mphahlwa said, “As people who were nurses before helping and looking after our people.
We identified Ethembeni as the most needy community in Grahamstown and gave them a hand helping them in their difficult lives.”
This was the first time that the GRNG made a donation and are looking to expand and help other people who are in need.
