TSHIVHILWI – “If something is not going well with you, turn to Mirror for help...” This is the advice from members of the struggling, poverty-stricken Makhale family who received a bundle of clothes worth R3 000 from a sympathetic reader after we published the family’s touching story a fortnight ago.

Ndalammbi Makhale (54) of Tshivhilwi village, northeast of Thohoyandou, his wife Rosinah (38) and kids Mmbangiseni (18), Ndivhoniswani (15), Elekanyani (10) Mpho (2) and Murendeni (3 months) are tragic victims of poverty and they now view life as burden rather than an enjoyable gift from the Creator. But after their plight was published by Mirror, they can now boast some smiles on their faces because they are hopeful that life is still worth living to them.

Meat, bread and tea are a once-in-a-blue-moon luxury as the family does not have a direct and reliable source of income. The children have no school uniform, shoes or proper clothing and three of them have not paid their school fees in full. The family does not have blankets and it is very painful for the kids to sleep on the cold floor without warmth. Ndalammbi and his wife do odd jobs like selling firewood and working in the field to keep the family fires burning.

Mpho and Elekanyani receive a child support grant and their joint income is R360, which almost does nothing for the family. The youngest kid, Murendeni, has no birth certificate because her mother says she does not have money to take the child to the Home Affairs offices.

After the publication of the article, sympathetic and loyal readers called Mirror to offer their support to the family. Mirror is still making some final touches with different donors for the official handing over of more donations to the family. Florence Netshitavhe, an educator at Tshakhuma Junior Primary School, could not wait before calling Mirror to organize the donation of a bundle of clothing worth R3 000 to the family.

“I could not sleep well after reading the story in my favourite newspaper. It is very sad to learn that these people have no proper clothes and they often go to bed hungry. I told myself that God has brought me into this world for a reason. That is why I decided to do something for this family because they did not choose to be what they are. I encourage other members of the community to help in the war against poverty because we are the ones who have the power to change this world,” said Florence during the handing over of the clothes last week Friday.

Accepting the donation on behalf of the family, Rosinah ran short of words to thank Florence and Mirror for changing the lives of her family members. “It is very hard to find a generous woman like Florence who can assist you without knowing you. She only read of our plight in the paper and we are not even related. Thank you a million times, Florence, for coming to our rescue. My greatest gratitude goes to Mirror for highlighting our plight. Keep up the good work because you are the voice of the voiceless…”

Community members who would like to assist the Makhale family can visit them at Tshivhilwi – Tshilonwe, near Mukula or alternatively call 072 351 0164.