Three brothers.
Nowhere safe to stay.
We have known these three boys for years. The storm took their home — and the place they fled to is not theirs to keep. Of all our rebuilds, this is the most urgent.
Marno (14), Eustace (12), and Vonnie (7) are three remarkable boys we have known for many years. We have watched them face more than their share of hardship — but nothing quite compared to finding their home completely wiped out by the storm.
When we went to check on them the next day at the farm house they had moved into, it was heartbreaking. Little Vonnie came running out holding up a pair of Eustace’s pants — far too big for him, but all he had to wear.
Vonnie ran out holding up his brother’s pants. They were far too big. They were all he had.
Of all the homes we are rebuilding, this is by far the most urgent — because the boys are not allowed to stay where they are. The farm house belongs to the farmer their mother’s boyfriend works for, and the family has no permission to be there. On any given day, they could be told to leave.
We have already begun laying the foundations of their new home. Now we are trusting — and asking — for the funding to finish it. For these three brothers, a safe place to sleep cannot come soon enough.
Live Donation Tracker
We are tracking every donation and need in real time. You can see exactly how much has been raised and what is still required — updated directly by the team on the ground.
View Live Donations Update ↗Here is what
will get them safe.
The foundations are already laid. The boys could be asked to leave their current shelter at any time. Funding to complete the build is the single most pressing need.
To Finish the Home
Most Urgent
Building fund
The foundations are in. Funding to complete the build is the one thing standing between these brothers and a home that is truly theirs. Every contribution goes straight into the build.
Materials
Building materials
Bricks, cement, timber, and roofing to take the home from foundation to finished. Donations in any quantity are gratefully received.
Trades & Labour
Builders, roofers, handymen
With the slab down, skilled hands now make the difference. If you can offer your trade or your contacts, please reach out — time matters here.
Beds
Beds & bedding
Beds, mattresses, and bedding will be ready to restore the moment the home is built — a safe, warm place for three boys to finally rest.
For the Boys
Clothing
Clothing & shoes that fit
Vonnie is wearing his brother’s clothes because it is all he has. Warm jackets, shoes, and clothing in the boys’ sizes are needed. Please contact us for sizes first.
School Support
Schooling essentials
Help with uniforms, shoes, and stationery keeps these boys in school and steady while the rest of their world is uncertain.
How to direct
your donation.
Two registered organisations serve The Valley. Love Looks Like Something is the original NPO — founded in 2020, they run the daily soup kitchen, support the schooling costs of over 700 children in the community, run a Christmas fundraiser each year, and are leading the emergency rebuild of the homes lost in the storm. Elpida is their second NPO, born from that same daily work, with a mandate to build the long-term infrastructure this community needs. Unless you instruct us otherwise, all donations received right now go directly to emergency storm relief — rebuilding the homes lost and meeting the immediate needs of the families affected. To direct your gift to Marno, Eustace and Vonnie specifically, add their name to your reference, or email us at admin@elpidageorge.co.za. If you require a Section 18A tax certificate, donate to Elpida and use the reference “Storm Appeal” — Elpida is the only registered PBO between the two organisations able to issue them.
Elpida NPO
Elpida is the registered NPO and PBO established to build the long-term infrastructure The Valley needs — a school, a sports development centre, and a trauma and counselling facility. All donations received right now go directly to emergency storm relief unless you instruct otherwise. To ringfence your gift for Marno, Eustace and Vonnie or another purpose, email admin@elpidageorge.co.za and reference it on your payment. Elpida is a registered PBO — qualifying donations are tax deductible and Section 18A certificates are issued within 30 days. Use the reference: Storm Appeal.
| Account holder | Elpida NPO |
| Bank | First National Bank |
| Branch code | 250655 (universal) |
| Account number | 6317 6971 787 |
| SWIFT / BIC | FIRNZAJJ (international) |
| NPO registration | 333-855-NPO |
| Reference | Your name + Storm Appeal |
Love Looks Like Something
Love Looks Like Something is the founding ministry of this work — present in The Valley since 2020. They run the daily soup kitchen that feeds hundreds of children every day, fund the schooling costs of over 700 children in the community, organise an annual Christmas fundraiser, and are leading the emergency rebuild of the homes lost in the storm. Visit lovelookslikesomething.co.za and follow the live donation tracker at lovelookslikesomething.co.za/storm-damage.
| Account holder | Love Looks Like Something |
| Bank | Nedbank |
| Branch code | 198765 |
| Account number | 1234272385 |
| Account type | Current Account |
| SWIFT / BIC | NEDSZAJJ (international) |
| NPO number | APPL25-04255 |
| Reference | Your name + Storm Relief (or “Marno”) |
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Help us raise the walls.
A seven-year-old in his big brother’s clothes. Three boys who could be told to leave at any moment. The foundations of their home are already in the ground — what they need now is people willing to help finish it.