In early November 2025, a team of youth volunteers visited the Phola area in Mpumalanga province, South Africa, to check on Letta Jali, an elderly community resident.
During the visit, the volunteers noticed that Letta suffered from swollen legs, making her mobility extremely difficult. Furthermore, the environment she was living in caused immediate concern. For years, her roof had been leaking severely, leading to a damp and flooded floor. The air was thick with moisture and mold, which had damaged her clothes and furniture. The house also lacked windows, leaving the space with poor ventilation. Living in such conditions not only affected Letta's quality of life but also posed significant risks to her health and safety.
Recognizing the urgency, the volunteers discussed Letta's situation at their weekly meeting. They decided to take action to improve her living conditions, aiming to provide her with a safe and comfortable home before the heavy November rainy season and the Christmas holidays.
Racing against the rainy season
On November 27, the first phase of the cleanup began. The youth volunteers divided the tasks among themselves. The men took charge of clearing the yard, moving heavy furniture, and inspecting the roof. Meanwhile, the women worked indoors, carefully sorting through piles of accumulated clothes and household items. The team worked tirelessly from ten in the morning until late afternoon.
As the clutter was gradually cleared, the structural issues of the house became more apparent. The roof, which had a poor original design, was severely compromised. Constant water accumulation had rusted the iron sheets and rotted the wooden beams. It was clear that a simple patch would not suffice; a complete roof repair was necessary.
In early December, the team purchased building materials and launched the roof repair project. With the assistance of volunteers Andile and Zethembe, they also enlisted the help of a local builder, Sandiso Mkhize, who offered his services at a discounted rate to support the cause.
On the day of the repair, the team and the builders worked together to dismantle the rusted and deformed iron roof. They constructed a new framework with a proper drainage slope to prevent future water pooling. At the same time, they reopened the sealed windows, finally allowing natural sunlight and fresh air to flow freely into the home.
Beyond fixing the structure, the team also purchased a new bed, floor mats, curtains, cabinets, and essential daily supplies to reorganize the interior space. The women washed a large number of dishes and clothes outdoors under the hot sun, wanting to alleviate the physical strain of daily chores for the elderly resident.
Seeing her once dark and deteriorating house transformed into a clean and safe home, Letta was deeply moved.
I never thought anyone would be willing to help me like this without me having to pay anything. — Letta Jali, Resident
A community effort
The care for Letta did not end with the roof. In March 2026, the team initiated the second phase of the project: repairing the floor.
Due to years of water leakage and mud seeping into the house, the floor was broken and extremely uneven. This made it difficult for Letta to walk and significantly increased her risk of slipping and getting injured. For this phase, the volunteers actively reached out to the local neighborhood, going door-to-door to invite residents to participate. They hoped to bring a spirit of mutual aid, care, and unity directly into the community.
The men traveled to the riverbank and roadsides to collect sand and gravel, while the women prepared meals to feed the workers. Despite the intense heat, everyone worked with joy and enthusiasm. Many local residents were touched by the effort and voluntarily stepped in to help. With people chatting and working together, the once-quiet space became lively and filled with energy.
Through the collective effort of the community, the broken floor was completely leveled and smoothed, leaving the house bright and clean. Letta shared that the initiative did more than just fix her house; it gave her a profound sense of dignity, making her feel truly valued and cared for.
This home repair project not only transformed the living environment of an elderly resident but also brought together the strength of local residents and youth. Through practical action, the community saw firsthand that by working together with sincerity and care, even the most difficult challenges can be steadily overcome.
Written by Ya-Chi Yuan (袁亞棋)
