Niall Carson
South Africa

Children left homeless by fire 'went to school like it was a normal day'

Hundreds of Irish volunteers arrived in Cape Town last week to help build new classrooms for the children.
7.15am, 28 Mar 2014
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IRISH VOLUNTEERS WHO travelled to Cape Town to build new classrooms for local children were left stunned when dozens of the pupils were left homeless by fire.

Over 300 volunteers arrived in South Africa last week to build new classrooms and a playground for the children over the next eight weeks.

This ‘building blitz’ is being organised by the charity the Niall Mellon Township Trust.

The volunteers were due to the visit the childrens’ homes later that day, however 25 homes had been destroyed after a fire ripped through the village.

One person died in the incident.

Press Association photographer Niall Carson, who is travelling with the volunteers, captured these images of the incident.

“Some how the children still managed to keep their uniforms tidy and went to school like a normal day”, he said.

One of the schools the volunteers have been working on will be handed back to locals later today.

Children left homeless by fire 'went to school like it was a normal day'
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    The government quickly supplied new sheets of tin for residents to rebuild their homes.Source: Niall Carson

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    Source: Niall Carson

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    Source: Niall Carson

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    Source: Niall Carson

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    Source: Niall Carson

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    Volunteers inspect the ruins.Source: Niall Carson

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    Niall Carson helping locals clear the rubble.

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    Rozina Banda age 9 who attends Oranjekloof Moravian Primary school in the township of Imizamo Yethu.Source: Niall Carson

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    Source: Niall Carson

Background: 320 Irish volunteers arrive in Africa to build classrooms and playground >

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