Daniel and Christine Wagenaar's Story – Beneficiary

After 12 years of waiting our dream has come true. When we moved in we had nothing but we were blessed because now we have everything!

Daniel and Christine Wagenaar were born on a farm in a Vlottenberg, Stellenbosch. They were both born in 1933 and are currently both 76 years of age. They were only 15 years old when they met and married at the young age of 17 with their parents’ permission. Daniel didn’t have any education and Christine left school after grade 2. All their life they worked and lived on farms all over Stellenbosch.  Because they lived in poverty, they always dreamed of owning their own home.

Together they had 6 children, 5 girls and 1 boy. They also have 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In 1997 they applied for a house for the first time because they could not stay on the farm any longer. They resided in Klapmuts as they had nowhere else to go. It was very hard to apply for a house when you did not reside in the municipal area. They were forced to take their kids out of school and end their opportunity for education in order to earn an income for the family. Mr and Mrs Wagenaar were too old now and could not provide for them anymore. In 2000 they went to stay with their daughter who looked after them. Unfortunately she passed away and their son in law soon remarried. They were forced to stay in a shack in his backyard. This was the start of serious recline for the old couple. The shack they lived in was small, with no electricity and no bathroom facilities. All their belongings were ruined by damp and they couldn’t use them anymore.

The day they received notification to attend a housing meeting, was a glorious day. After Mellon Housing Initiative completed the workshops and all the paperwork was completed; they were ecstatic.

“Since they started the foundation we’ve been to site everyday until our keys were handed over. After 12 years of waiting our dream has come true. When we moved in we had nothing but we were blessed because now we have everything! This house is gift from God and we are very happy to be on our own in our own house.”

“Thank you!”