For seventy-five-year-old Jikifili Mjola, seeing volunteers return brought a brief moment of hesitation, then visible joy. "I thought you would never come back," she said quietly. That return marked the continuation of a compassionate journey that began with a simple sleeping mat.
A frail dwelling in Umzimkulu
Jikifili's home in Umzimkulu, South Africa, had fallen into severe disrepair over the years. Corroded iron sheets were punctured with holes, and large gaps at the top of the walls allowed wind, dust, and rain to sweep freely inside. More than eight window panes were missing, replaced only by discarded pieces of scrap metal nailed in place to block the biting cold. As a result, even at midday, her bedroom remained shrouded in darkness.
The grandmother lived alongside her grandson, Sifilele, an eleventh-grade student. They were regular care recipients visited by local volunteer Zodidi Niyasela. On June 10, 2026, Zodidi and the Durban volunteer team visited the small home and witnessed the challenging living conditions firsthand. For Jikifili, who had limited mobility, the dusty, uneven dirt floor presented constant tripping hazards. Both had long slept directly on the bare ground, never having owned a bed.
LEFT: The window glass is severely damaged and patched with discarded corrugated iron to keep out the cold wind. RIGHT: During the initial visit, volunteers provided a sleeping mat so the grandmother no longer had to sleep on the bare floor. | Photos: Tzu Chi Durban Team
During their initial visit, volunteers brought a sleeping mat so she no longer had to sleep on the cold floor, while also helping clean the home and assisting her with a bath. On the 193-kilometer drive back to Durban, the car was quiet as volunteers reflected on the dimly lit room and the student who kept up his studies despite having nowhere comfortable to sleep.
Turning promises into action
On August 24, volunteers set out once again, carrying donations gathered over the previous two months, arriving in the Nzeni area of Umzimkulu at midday. After meeting local volunteers who were already waiting for them, they headed to a hardware store to purchase building materials.
Curious about the group, the store owner asked where they came from and what organization they represented. Volunteer Andile Ngubane and a fellow volunteer introduced Tzu Chi and Master Cheng Yen, explaining how volunteers strive to treat every care recipient with respect, gratitude, and familial love.
That afternoon, the team mixed mortar to fill the gaps at the top of the walls, but the first day did not go as planned. No mason was available on site, and the sturdy wooden pillars needed to support the roof were not yet ready.
The next day, volunteers returned to the store for additional supplies. Because they had only used string to measure the window dimensions, the store could not cut the glass precisely. Noticing their sincere dedication, the owner lent them a professional tape measure and told them to measure carefully before coming back. He also offered the extra sheet of corrugated iron free of charge. "I know you only need to buy one sheet, so let me offer it to you," he said.
One of the co-owners, Ali, shared his perspective:
We are very happy to see a group like yours helping others. We also want to participate and contribute. — Ali, Hardware Store Co-Owner
Rebuilding comfort and dignity
With the materials ready, repair work commenced under the guidance of volunteer Zethembe Mkhize and local masons. They carefully dismantled the fragile roof structure, erected sturdy wooden pillars donated by Zodidi's mother-in-law, and installed new and reusable corrugated iron sheets. Zodidi's mother-in-law also came to the site to sit with Jikifili and keep her company while the work went on.
Volunteers carefully smoothed the uneven earthen floor inside the room, installed new window glass to let in natural light while blocking the wind, and sealed the wall gaps. By the third day, the interior and exterior walls were freshly painted and the furniture moved back in, giving the aging house a transformed appearance. A new single bed with a clean mattress was placed in each of their rooms.
LEFT: Volunteers re-level the earthen floor in Jikifili Mjola's room, one of several repairs carried out over three days. RIGHT: Volunteers repaint the outside of the house on the third day, as the work neared completion. | Photos: Tzu Chi Durban Team
Looking at the transformed home, Jikifili's hands trembled and tears ran down her face. Neighbours heard the news and came to congratulate the family, and volunteers took the chance to share that helping others does not require money — anyone with a willing heart can join.
As the sun dropped, Sifilele returned from school. Stepping into the yard, he stopped, unable to believe what he saw. Inside the room, he flung himself onto the bed, laughing: "Does this bed really belong to me?" Then he turned to the volunteers to thank them. "I am truly grateful to you all. I have never slept on a bed; this is something I have only heard about and never experienced before."
Houses can be constructed with wood, metal, and cement, but a true home is rebuilt with love. For Jikifili, who had watched people come and go over the years, leaving promises behind with nothing to show for them, this return was different: Tzu Chi had not broken its word. Today, she rests comfortably away from the dust and the rain, while Sifilele studies in a bright, secure space, able to work toward his dreams. The care that reached them had travelled 193 kilometres — and a small wish, kept with sincerity and carried out in practice, can become the greatest blessing.
Written by Lucia Mapumulo
