Stephen George & Partners | Social Responsibility

Jiko Mchunu lives in KwaXimba in South Africa. She was still a teenager when both her parents died of HIV/AIDS related illnesses and she was left to care for her seven brothers and sisters. In order to support her family, Jiko found a job at the local public works department on a road project, earning around 30 pounds per month.

When Habitat for Humanity came along, Jiko’s family home was a crumbling mud and wattle earth structure. The floor was full of holes which turned into large puddles every time it rained and the walls were collapsing. There was no furniture and no lock on the door. Jiko’s family was one of the first to be helped in the community by Habitat for Humanity. For Jiko, seeing the new house being built was an experience she will never forget. Shock and disbelief were followed by tears as she watched the foundations being dug and realised she was not alone.

Now the children have a proper roof over their heads, bedrooms in which they can sleep and study, their first bathroom, a solid floor and glazed windows to shut out the wind and rain and to keep them safe.