For a family in Pietermaritzburg, one night and a matter of moments saw everything change when flames engulfed a lifetime of memories and their livelihood. As the co-founder of a charity, Theresa Pienaar knows what it is to give hope to the hopeless, and now the Maritzburg community are paying it forward to her and her family; helping them rebuild their lives after the unimaginable!
Chasedene, South Africa (13 September 2024) — On the evening of 6 September, the unthinkable came knocking for one family in Pietermaritzburg. In one moment, it was just another Friday in early spring. Minds could drift freely, home was still home. In the next, everything would change for the harder. Home was no longer home, and all thoughts pointed to one place—how do we rebuild our lives after this?
Theresa Pienaar, the co-founder of the charity Porky’s People, had been preparing snacks for upcoming memorials when her 10-year-old foster son with special needs told her that smoke was coming down the passage. Two cupboards in the main bedroom were on fire.
Springing into action, Theresa gathered her two foster children, got them outside and shouted for someone to urgently call the fire department. The flames moved frighteningly fast from the bedroom, ploughing through the home in their wake.
Theresa made a brave attempt to smother them with a blanket, but the damage ensued relentlessly.
“My siblings and I received a call from our mother on Friday night, telling us that our family home was in flames,” explains Theresa’s son Zane Groenewald—who many might know as a BackaBuddy team member who has helped run numerous crowdfunding campaigns across causes.
“The relentless blaze had already claimed most of the house, reducing our belongings and cherished memories to ash and rubble,” he says.
“I’ll never forget the pain in my mother’s voice when she realised that everything she and my stepfather had built over a lifetime was gone,” adds Theresa’s daughter, Kirsty.
Theresa and Deon Pienaar now stood at the kind of intersection most can’t even stand to think about. The power surge in their area had reduced 80% of their home to rubble. But, what goes around certainly comes around; and for a family rooted in kindness, kindness is slowly but surely growing in their favour.
With Theresa’s children based across the country and determined to help their parents, word of the Pienaar’s plight has spread far and wide. Additionally, Theresa’s charity work and Zane’s contribution to helping stories of hardship receive awareness have undoubtedly touched South Africa and now South Africans are helping pay it forward.
“Throughout our lives, our mom has always been there for others, helping in both big and small ways without ever expecting anything in return,” shares sibling Natasha. “It’s truly heartwarming to see the community stepping in to help her and my stepdad in their time of need.”
People from all over have united to help the family rebuild their lives after the flame-filled fate; contributing over R70,000 to their cause.
“We’ve received donations ranging from R50 to R20,000, from friends, family, the generous Pietermaritzburg community, and even strangers. Every contribution and message of support has meant the world to our family,” Kirsty beams.
Beyond monetary donations, the family has also received generous donations of clothes, household items, and other essentials that have made a massive difference in rebuilding lives after the worst has happened.
At present, the family is clearing out their home, assessing the damage and seeing what can be salvaged. Anyone from Pietermaritzburg and beyond can help turn their story into a triumph over tragedy by supporting their crowdfunding campaign here.
As Zane concludes:
“In the hours of unimaginable loss and anguish, the love and kindness from our family, friends, neighbours and even perfect strangers have chipped away at our hurt, reminding us that we are not alone. We can dust ourselves off, let go, rebuild, and start again.”
by 