Danny Guselli's plea to help Shakirah Hajji, 10, who lost her entire family during the #KZNFloods
The Westville community has come together during this time of tragedy and loss.
The #KZNFloods have absolutely devastated KwaZulu-Natal.
The rains in KZN on Monday 11 April 2022 was the heaviest in 62 years and destroyed homes, businesses, livelihoods, and most regrettably - families! We've read unfathomable stories of families that have lost babies, children, and entire families.
By Saturday 16 April 2022, the death toll was reportedly over 400 people already.
When Danny was sent the story of 10-year-old Shakirah Hajji on BackaBuddy, he was absolutely shattered.
See more: 1987 Natal floods exactly like 2022 floods. Why has nothing infrastructurally changed?
"On Tuesday, 12 April 2022, during the torrential rains and flooding, that devastated the most part of KwaZulu-Natal, Shakirah, a young girl, aged 10, had her entire world ripped from her, in the most unspeakable and unutterable manner." - (Backabuddy)
The family lived near the Palmiet Nature Reserve in Westville. Her dad, Haji (34), her mom Halima (29), and her 10-month-old brother, Kevin, died in a horrific mudslide.
Miraculously, Shakirah survived, but this young girl has lost everything!
Read more: List of emergency contact numbers and flood safety tips #KZNFloods
When Danny told us about this story, he could barely put his sentences together and is calling on those who can help to please do.
I just want to help! I want nothing more than to help! When I saw this little girl, my heart just broke!
We've seen communities come together during this dark period in KZN's history.
Watch more: Umdloti community band together in a time of severe weather crisis
We honestly cannot imagine what Shakirah is going through because nothing can prepare anyone for something like this.
"We, as the families that Haji and Halima not only worked for, but whose lives were touched by them are absolutely devastated by their deaths. The loss is deeply felt by us and throughout our homes. Haji and Halima became a part of our families; they genuinely cared for us and would do anything to make our lives easier - no task was ever too much for them. We are utterly heartbroken by this tragedy. They were the most incredible family; honest, kind and loyal. Their passing has left a huge hole in our hearts and daily lives." (BackaBuddy)
The BackaBuddy campaign was started by Jason and Vanessa Norris, Mark and Megan Sponneck, Mildred Moore (Busybee Daycare), Lenard and Lauren Hall, and Mechell Chetty.
Read more: KZN flood relief efforts get R30m cash injection from Motsepe Foundation
If you would like to help in any way possible, please contact [email protected] or visit Shakirah's BackaBuddy page by clicking here to make a donation.
Here's the campaign video that was created to help Shakirah Hajji, 10, who lost her entire family during the #KZNFloods:
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Main image attribution: Jason Norris/Supplied