The Bodike and Badukanye family, who have been living in appalling conditions, have received an early Christmas gift, in the form a newly built house.
The family has been living in a makeshift house, made from a stack of bricks, piled up to look like a real house.
The family’s plight was brought to the attention of the John Taolo Gaetsewe Community Development Trust, after neighbours in Water-Aar near Kuruman, posted the brick house on social media.
For the first time in nearly in seven years, the Bodike and Badukanye family will have a solid roof over their heads.
The family has been living in a makeshift structure, since the collapse of their mud house, a few years ago.
The cramped structure, which housed the family of six, had no electricity, no bathroom and no running water.
The parents are unemployed, while the four children do not attend school.
Father of the household, Babatjie Badukanye, says having a stable roof over their heads is life changing:
“We were in a challenging situation with that house that was falling. My house has fallen three times and I have been struggling because I am unemployed. I am so happy because now my children will live in a proper house like other children.”
Joe Morolong mayor, Dineo Leutlwetse, admits that there are many households in the Water-Aar area that are in the same situation.
Leutlwetse says the municipality is working on a plan to provide proper housing to these households:
“This is not the only house which is having these problems or these challenges. We are identifying houses our councillors are busy with plans, they are busy with ward committees. We are busy with all the Dikgosi to identify all the families that are having these kinds of challenges.”
Meanwhile, the John Taolo Gaetsewe Community Development Trust has also donated food hampers to the Bodike and Badukanye family to ensure that this Christmas is an even more festive one.
