George Herald
Donderdag 25 Februarie, 2016
Angels4Angels helps people across boarders
Alida de Beer
The awful reality of a domestic worker's living conditions in Thembalethu has caused a Dutch woman to establish a foundation, Angels4Angels, that is changing lives one at a time.
It all started with Marieke Bunnik's jewellery making hobby that provided a small income when financial woes struck after her divorce a few years ago. The jewellery - sold mostly overseas - is helping to raise funds for Angels4Angels which have so far been enough to build a proper, wooden house for a friend's domestic worker, Veronica Vis.
Marieke had given special jewellery gifts with angel wings to her friends in Holland who stood by her after her divorce. "The idea was to give angels to the angels in my life. The gifts were a hit with my friends."
When Marieke was at a crossroads in her life some time later, she put her last penny into buying stock for her jewellery and asked Veronica to help her with the production in order to up her turnover. "Veronica took to it immediately. She is very creative and we worked together for months to build up stock. During this time, I got to know her better and visited her home in Thembalethu, which as a real eye opener. She lived in a 2 by 4 metre shack where the water would pour in when it rained."
Marieke started putting away some money from the income generated from the jewellery, until there was enough for a decent house for Veronica. With good quality second-hand clothing that people from Holland donated, she also helped Veronica set up a shop in her home and to decorate her new house beautifully on a small budget.
She has subsequently set out to build a house for the Tigere family who live in the same street as Veronica.
With Joseph, the father of the family, being adept and keen to do woodwork, he lent a hand during the construction of Veronica's house and through this connection, met Marieke.
Joseph is a kidney patient at George Hospital. He previously featured in articles in the George Herald for the brave and responsible way in which he managed his health in dire circumstances to survive while waiting for a donor kidney. He received a transplant last year.
The Tigere family's new house was roof height during the newspaper's visit last week.
Said Marieke, "Through my own difficulties, I have learned that I don't need as many pairs of shoes and that I can live happily with much less. I've realised how privileged I am and that is why I try to help others."
Her ultimate goal is to set up a creative centre in George where people can be trained in needlework, beadwork and even woodwork.
For more information, visit www.angels4angels.nl or phone Marieke on 079 844 8869.
‘The idea was to give angels to the angels in my life. The gifts were a hit with my friends.’
Marieke Bunnik, of Angels4Angels, hands over the keys of the new house to Veronica Vis. INSERT: Veronica Vis in her home with the clothes she offers for sale.
