Masonic Home for disabled people in Durbanville is at risk of closure due to financial constraints and seven people could end up in homes not conducive to their conditions.

The Masonic Home is one of three homes managed by the Quadriplegic and Paraplegic Association Western Cape (QAWC). Each house accommodates seven residents who are responsible for the financial sustainability of their respective homes.

Two of the residents at the Masonic Home do not have a family that can house them and some of the families are struggling financially, according to Lizé Pitt, one of the residents.

She said the association once recommended that the home be closed, and their vehicle be sold to pay all the debts and other costs until closure of the home.

The residents who are quadriplegics do not have the use of their four limbs and need to be washed, fed, dressed and helped when going to the toilet. Paraplegic residents do not have the use of their lower half of the body.

The home opened in December 2004 and residents and their families were able to cover the costs in the beginning. However, said Ms Pitt, the costs of the services required by the residents have increased, making it difficult to run the house.

“Every resident or their families must, besides the government subsidy, pay a monthly fee of R5 000 (for 2022 and R5 500 a month for 2023) to cover the additional costs. The state or Sassa disability grant amounts to about R2 000 per person per month. Most of the families of residents are financially struggling and find it very difficult to cover the costs,” she said.

But Ms Pitt is not only focusing on the problems. She has also come up with some potential solutions.

Among them are that general volunteers visit a resident once a month for 15 minutes or longer. These volunteers can also call a resident to congratulate him or her for their birthdays or help clean gutters twice a year.

She also suggested that professional volunteers from any career field like technical, medical or IT professions offer their services pro bono.

Another idea is that they invite 500 families to donate a monthly minimum of R50 via debit order towards Masonic Home, and that 20 businesses render at least one service per year, it could be repairs to their vehicle and home, psychologists and so on.

People who can assist may contact Lizé at lizepitt@gmail.com or Albin Bowler at 071 608 4700, albinbowler@gmail.com

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