The staff of the South African Volunteer Team made their way up to Johannesburg for another build on the 15th May in Tembisa Township with the Rhema Church Group. Out of the 90 volunteers there was quite a few people that have volunteered with us 4,5,6 times now – true veterans!
The volunteers arrived early that morning and after a quick introduction they got straight to work. They were divided into different teams – 12 construction and 2 painting teams. The 2 painting teams, as always, had a very important job. The houses they were painting were the houses that would be handed over at the end of the day. The two families receiving the houses were already there waiting in anticipation for the official handover at 3.15pm and also keeping a close eye on the painters!
Vuvezela’s were being blown all day by the volunteers and the local children. Quite a few of them were sporting their Bafana Bafana jerseys under their work t-shirts as well. The world cup fever has definitely spread across all of South Africa.
 

The group worked tirelessly throughout the day to finish their work, barely taking time to eat lunch. As always the SA staff were there to keep them refreshed with water and chocolates throughout the day.

At 3pm they downed tools and all congregated at the 2 houses being handed over.
Thamile Shonhwe has lived in a one bedroom shack since 1994 with her husband, 5 children and 2 grand children. She was overjoyed to be receiving a house on Saturday and thanked all the volunteers for their hard work.
Ntome Makgale was the owner of the second house being handed over; he has lived in a shack since 1995 and is married with 2 children. He said he feels very proud to be moving into the house.  His wife and children live in the Eastern Cape as there was not enough room for them in the shack where he lived. He will be collecting them once he has furnished the house and he can finally be reunited with his family in their new home.

It was truly an awesome day and one I am sure will be remembered for a long time.

Thank you to all the Rhema Church Group volunteers who participated on Saturday 15th May. They were a fantastic group to work with and we look forward to seeing them again on the 16th October for their second build of the year.
 

Click here to see more photographs of the Rhema Build.

If you are interested in participating in one of our SA day builds please click here for more information