Thanks to the help and generosity of kind benefactors, including a gifted 5000-litre water tank and another organisation’s swift installation, the Domino Foundation’s Othandweni safehouse now enjoys consistent water flow.
Durban, South Africa (29 July 2025) – “How does your garden grow?” Mary is asked in an old English nursery rhyme. If she happened to live in suburban Durban, she might ironically reply: “With regular breaks and spiralling rates, it’s all quite a challenge, you know.”
For The Domino Foundation’s Red Light programme’s safe house, Othandweni, a reliable water source for its eight regular residents, beneficiaries and staff has been an ongoing challenge.
The small community of survivors of gender-based violence and sexual exploitation are all participants in Red Light’s Restore and Release programmes. The demands made on the municipal water supply have made augmenting it a priority for the programmes.
“We have marvelled at the amazing help which has come from several quarters as an answer to our water challenge,” commented Gill Hammond, house manager.
Domino Foundation received a gift of a 5000-litre plastic water tank from one of its benefactors. After recognising logistical difficulties in finding a suitable location to install such a large item, which would have led to additional unplanned costs, another organisation was more than happy to step in and lead the way in installing the tank.
“Now we can depend on turning on the tap knowing that the water will flow,” said Gill.
“Most of Othandweni’s residents come from backgrounds of extreme uncertainty and instability, and so something as fundamental as having a reliable source of clean water plays a part in restoring their sense of dignity.”
Looking ahead, this reliable water source will be significant for a proposed vegetable tunnel at Othandweni.
“Most of the beneficiaries have never known any other form of earning except playing their trade on the streets. We prepare them to move into productive, secure futures through career guidance and skills training. Part of this process includes providing for their present needs and, with water and a veggie tunnel, we can meet those and give a hands-on opportunity to learn the elements of horticulture, which might well become a way for some of the ladies to earn a living when they leave us,” Gill explained.
Gill can be contacted at restore@domino.org.za for more information on how the community can partner with Red Light in bringing hope and dignity to survivors of gender-based violence.
Sources: Supplied
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