Mrs Fortein (96): Home for Destitute Family a ‘Miracle’

By Sonica Naudé-Steyn

A beautiful three bedroom home was handed over to a family in need in Kokstad last Wednesday by NCW Helping Hands in partnership with the Greater Kokstad Municipality and the Department of Correctional Services. Single mother, Delene Ruiters, and her four children were living in a deteriorating wendy house on a concrete slab on the property of 9 Coulter Street. The home had no running water, an outside toilet and the family were forced to share the two roomed space, all five sleeping in a double bed. “We planned to build a family home on the property and temporarily moved in to the wendy house. Unfortunately my husband passed away and our plans were derailed. So my children and I continued living in the wendy house,” explained Delene. According to Delene, the structure started deteriorating as it was not meant to be a permanent home and the family was also plagued by continued theft and harassment from local vagrants. Delene also does not have permanent employment and relies on part time work when she can get it. “I was approached by NCW Helping Hands who offered to help and I could not be more grateful. So many sponsors came on board to donate building materials and now I have my dream home, where my children, my granny and I can live safely,” said Delene. Nad Nayager, Chairperson of NCW Helping Hands said the project is the fifth house built and donated by NCW Helping Hands. He thanked the Greater Kokstad Municipality for their support and guidance in the process and also thanked the Department of Correctional Services for provided offender labour to complete the construction. Speaking on behalf of the family, 96 year old grandmother, Mrs Gladys Fortein, thanked everyone who assisted in the project. Gladys had lived with Delene however moved in with other family members when the family moved into the wendy house, planning to resume residency with her granddaughter once the new home was completed. “I saw how my granddaughter and her children suffered every day and I just put it in God’s hands. This new house is a miracle and thank you to everyone who had a hand in building it. It is a miracle. I think Delene and the kids feel great, peaceful and happy. Everyone has a bedroom, including me! Thank you to everybody who put a hand in this house,” said Mrs Fortein, who was born in Ntabankulu on 19 December 1929. The home was officially handed over last Wednesday during a ceremony attended by members of NCW Helping Hands, officials from the Greater Kokstad Municipality, community, friends and family as well as the National Commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Mr Makgothi Samuel Thobakgale. According to Thobakgale, the house was built through the use of offender labour as part of the Department’s offender skills development and rehabilitation programmes: “This intervention seeks to restore dignity, safety and improved living conditions to the Ruiters family. The outreach initiative forms part of the Department’s broader rehabilitation strategy, which equips inmates with critical construction and building skills, enabling them to become productive and self-sustaining members of society upon their release. The project further advances the Department’s strategic objective of building a correctional system that prioritises rehabilitation, restorative justice and safer communities.” 1. 96 year old Mrs Gladys Fortein thanking everyone involved in donating a home to her granddaughter and four great grandchildren.