After relentless rains swept through Doonside, an elderly care home was left in ruins. Now, 34 vulnerable residents have lost everything and “The Elder’s Voice” is calling on South Africans to help rebuild what was taken by the storm.
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (25 February 2025) – In times of devastation, there’s one golden rule: look for the helpers. But sometimes, the reality is that we need to be the helpers.
This past week, heavy rains in Doonside, KwaZulu-Natal, left destruction in their wake. Among the hardest hit was “The Elder’s Voice”, a non-profit organisation dedicated to fighting for the rights of the elderly – those who have been forgotten, left behind, or have no family to turn to. For many of their 287 residents across different facilities, “The Elder’s Voice” is their only hope.
Joanne Mocke, a passionate advocate for the elderly and a driving force behind “The Elder’s Voice”, has been sharing heartbreaking videos on the organisation’s Facebook page, showing the scale of the devastation. A mudslide caused the collapse of a dividing wall at one of their homes, completely destroying everything inside.
Thirty-four elderly residents, already vulnerable, lost what little they had.
But in moments of crisis, incredible South Africans always show up. Volunteers arrived in droves to help evacuate residents, clean up the wreckage, and make sure everyone was fed. The immediate response was nothing short of extraordinary, proving once again that kindness is alive and well in our country.
Now, the focus is on rebuilding. The home needs everything – beds, fridges, basic furniture and even the small belongings that made the residents feel at home. These people, who have already lost so much, deserve dignity in their old age.
If you can help in any way, whether it’s a donation, supplies, or simply spreading the word, please reach out to “The Elder’s Voice” here. Because sometimes, when life takes everything away, hope is found in the hands that reach out to give it back.
*Joanne explained to Good Things Guy that the organisation has been gifted with lots of bedding but now they require beds, fridges and any and all other basic furniture.
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