By Gabi Khumalo
Galeshewe – Lying awake in fear that her shack is going to fall apart around her every time there is a rainstorm will soon be a thing of the past for 48-year-old Evelyn Maruping.
Maruping, who lives in Galeshewe, was on Monday handed the keys to her brand new, comfortable and safe facebrick house, by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa as part of the National Youth Day activities. Youth Day is commemorated on 16 June each year.
The house is one of 76 currently being built under the Department Human Settlement and National Youth Development Agency’s Youth Build Project. The housing project is expected to be complete by 30 June.
About 100 unemployed youths from Galeshewe have volunteered to build the houses and in the process acquire construction skills, as part of Youth Month.
The Youth Build Project prioritises the elderly, people with disabilities, female-headed families, child- headed families and orphans.
Seeing her completed house on Monday, an emotional Maruping shed tears of joy. She was excited at the idea of living in a suburb.
“For me this is not just any house. It has two nice bedrooms, an open plan kitchen, bathroom with flushing toilet and dining room - not to mention electricity and running water inside,” said an elated Maruping.
Maruping, who is unemployed, thanked government for choosing her as one of the beneficiaries of the project.
“Now I’ll be sleeping in this comfortable house and be like other people. I don’t have words to express my gratitude,” said an emotional Maruping.
She said it was not the first time she had been assisted by government.
“My child is studying nursing at Potchefstroom University after getting a bursary from government. My other son went to Cuba this year to study medicine after being selected as one of the beneficiaries to study there.
“I couldn’t have done all of this if it wasn’t for government as I’m unemployed.”
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa handed over the house to Maruping on Monday as part of the National Youth Day activities.
He congratulated her on her lovely house and thanked her for being patient while government brings services to the people of the country.
He said now she would no longer have to go outside to use the bathroom.
Maruping has been sharing a shack with her four family members for 14 years. – SAnews.gov.za
