2016-12-15Staff Report 2 Walvis Bay Tears of joy flowed freely in Kuisebmond on Tuesday when a family of seven, who previously lived in deplorable conditions in a backyard shack was generously rewarded with a two-bedroomed house by Good Samaritans of Walvis Bay. The house was donated in partnership by Walvis Bay Municipality and Fabreca Construction, who constructed the house, worth about N$300 000, at their own cost. What makes the occasion so special is the fact that the breadwinner of the family, 56-year-old Abraham Shitaleni, who was a long-distance passenger busdriver has been confined to a special bed, following a horrific car accident on July 22, 2013 that left him completely paralysed. Shitaleni’s injuries are so severe he is unable to speak at all. His devoted wife, 45-year-old Thresia Shitaleni, a general worker at Nara Investments, has since taken over the role as sole breadwinner and supports their five children: Isreal, Nikanor, Queen, Angela and Elizabeth. Although he could not utter words of gratitude for the generous gesture Abraham through teardrops showed his gratitude to the people who came to his aid, thanking them for restoring his family’s dignity with their generous deeds. Kobus van Schalkwyk, who built the paralysed man the house and who handed over the house on behalf of Fabreca Construction on Tuesday, said Walvis Bay Urban Constituency Councillor Hafeni Ndemula approached him a few months ago while they were busy constructing a house in Kuisebmond. “He asked what the cost will be if we construct a similar house for someone that was really in need. I was curious enough and requested to be taken to the family and saw the deplorable conditions in which they were living and decided to build the house at our cost for them. I just wanted to give back to a fellow Namibian,” he explained. Thresia, who accompanied her husband – who was transported via an ambulance to their new house – could also not hide her joy and was seen wiping away her tears. “This is so wonderful. I cannot tell you how thankful we are. Now we will sleep peacefully at night. My husband almost lost his life in a shackfire, if it was not for our eldest son, Israel, who had to run from school to carry his father out of the shack. That day we lost everything,” an emotional Thresia told New Era upon receiving the new house on Tuesday. Kobus van Schalkwyk of Fabreca Construction, who constructed the house, said he is proud to be a Namibian and to be able to make a positive contribution towards the Shitaleni family. “I just wanted to give back to the community and I am thankful that I was able to do this for a fellow Namibian,” he said. 2016-12-15Staff Report 2
