Ntando Nkontso got a chance to work as a general laborer for the East London CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation and he has now made a big dream come true.
East London, South Africa (26 May 2022) – Ntando Nkontso has always wanted to do his drivers license and buy himself a car. His hopes of this dream grew when he was offered a small position with the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation in East London. Over the years, Ntando has worked his was from being a general laborer to the go-to guy at the foundation.
The CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA is a non-profit organisation that advocates for the health and well-being of children and teenagers diagnosed with cancer or life-threatening blood disorders. The passionate and dedicated staff and volunteers of CHOC aim to save lives through early detection and comprehensive support programmes for the families affected by cancer such as; accommodation, transport assistance, psychosocial, emotional and practical support and more. They also provide awareness and education on childhood cancer and life-threatening blood disorders.
The staff that help keep things running at these facilities play such a wonderful role in bringing ease and comfort to families going through the biggest battles. Ntando, while never playing a direct role in the lives of children with cancer, plays an integral role in keeping the house and grounds clean and well-maintained.
“Ntando, the ground maintenance staff member of CHOC East London started working for CHOC a few years ago for just one day a week. We then increased his days of work as the need arose and he now works 4 days a week. During this time he went from having very limited knowledge about gardening to using all of the equipment with expertise.
He then started doing maintenance jobs around our property and each time we had a plumber, electrician or the likes on site, he would watch and learn from them. He now does the majority of our maintenance work. His dream was to get a driver’s license and buy a car. Great news! Not only did he pass his driver’s test, but also got his license for code EC1 – a heavy duty truck license! Thank you to the East London staff for assisting Ntando achieve his dream!”
CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA removes the financial distress for these families across South Africa to access and adhere to their treatment journey by providing free, safe transport through the Comprehensive Child and Family Support programme.
“Whilst our vehicles of hope transport beneficiaries daily from our houses to the treatment centres and return, we gift needy families between R50 to R300, dependent on travel location and physical wellbeing, with transport financial assistance to get from their community home to treatment. We expended R738,301.00 in transport financial assistance through 15,695 issues in our last financial year. Our projected spend over the 2021-22 financial year is R829,000 with monthly issues at R70,000.00”
The organisation is campaigning to cover the transport costs. You can help them keep the petrol tank full by donating here.
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