3 Time Fire Victim Inspires
1 February 2008
What would you do if your home burnt down three times in the past few years? If you had no regular employment and a young child to support? Most of us cannot begin to imagine the stress and trauma surrounding such multiple loss, but for Melanie Johnathan of Imizamo Yethu, life has gone on. Melanie lost her home to fire in Grassy Park before moving to Imizamo Yethu. Sadly, disaster struck again during the “big fire” a few years ago and she was one of hundreds of victims who lost their homes that year. Then on 12 May, while Melanie was at her pastor’s home for the night, another shack fire claimed 31 homes and the life of young Akona, just 19 years old. By the time Melanie arrived on the scene, ALL her material possessions were gone… for the third time!
Melanie’s story is an inspiration to us all. She was interviewed for the WorkNow! programme at the end of 2006. At the time she was unemployed and desperate to find some work in our valley. So when Denise, WorkNow’s office manager, called her to go out as an ad hoc cleaner on 16 February, she grabbed the chance with both hands…… and made sure she did a fabulous job!
From then on, she was sent out as a casual cleaner from time to time until May, when Denise put her forward for a domestic worker position with Danielle. Out of 7 possible candidates, she was selected. This was a wonderful turn of events for her, in that it meant regular work, every Monday and Thursday.
Good fortune arrived yet again in the form of Alison, who employed her every Wednesday and then every Friday to attend to her mom’s home. So by mid May, Melanie had moved from totally unemployed, to casually employed, to 4 days a week on a permanent basis!
There was stability, there was income and above all, there was hope for Melanie and her 5 year old son. And then disaster struck in the form of fire, but this time everything was different for her. Her connections through her new employers, her connections through the members of WorkNow! have meant that Melanie has been given some help through her tragic loss. While noboby can take away the emotional trauma, Melanie has found real “friends in need”. She has been given donations of money, clothing, food and household items for herself and her son. The love and care from her new employers and her WorkNow! community has gone a long way towards helping her pick up the pieces and begin recreating her home for the 4th time in just a few years. To us, Melanie is truly, a woman of courage.
E-mail: info@worknow.org.za