Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Last year Mama Angel made a dream come true for the Masilo family when she bought them material to build a house.

Onalerona Masilo, 21, from Hebron in North West asked Sowetan to help her build her family a shack and Mama Angel delivered building materials worth R8500.

"We thank Sowetan for helping us," said Masilo. "If it weren't for them we would not have been able to build the house."

The family is still paying for the construction of the house.

"The builders charged us R800 and we still owe them R500," Masilo.

This year Masilo's sister, Didintle, started studying business administration at the University of Pretoria.

"She got a study loan, but this still puts a strain on our finances. We have to send her money for food and we can't afford it," said the unemployed Onalerona.

Didintle's other sibling, Amogelang, is in grade 5.

Onalerona said: "I'm still unemployed. I did a computer course, but I have had no luck in finding a job. I have now applied to the army."

Before Mama Angel visited them, the family lived in their grandmother's mud house, which was built more than 50 years ago.

The house was full of cracks and the roof was collapsing.

The family survives on their mother's R820 disability grant and their granny's pension.

"We are happy that Sowetan helped us. If it wasn't for them, I don't know where our family would be," said Onalerona.