Durban - The Jes Foord Foundation Multi-Purpose Community Centre in Mariannhill has reopened and counselling has resumed after sponsors came to the rescue a month after a devastating burglary.
Burglars cut a hole in the fence, then ripped open the panels of the container offices last month and stole everything from a couch to the welcome mat. Some items were recovered but were damaged.
Kind-hearted sponsors stepped in.
“I am so grateful for the help we have received in restoring our beautiful centre. Thank you to everyone who helped us: it is great to be back serving the community,” Foord said.
She thanked Riverside Golf Club for its generous donation, which helped with repairs to the centre.
“An amazing woman from the community, Aunty Savi, used her own money to buy us a new kettle. The Badgers Social Golf Club replaced our filing cabinet and small fridge.
“In addition, Alliance Fencing and Stafix Electric Fencing and Security Centre stepped forward and sponsored more than 200m of electric fencing for our counselling centre, which has given us extra security.”
Three people were arrested in connection with the burglary. Centre spokeswoman, Michelle Smith, said police had not kept them updated on the criminal case opened at the Mariannhill SAPS.
The centre counsels rape survivors and people with drug and alcohol addictions.
It also offers child play therapy for behavioural or emotional problems, as well as HIV/Aids testing and counselling.
Daily News