The Storm
Six families lost everything. We are still here — and we need your help.
On the night of 11 May 2026, a devastating storm swept through Golden Valley. By morning, the extent of the damage was clear — and it was severe.
Corrugated iron roofs had been peeled back or torn away entirely. Walls had collapsed. The sand floors that families live and sleep on — already modest, already hard — were covered in sludge. Children woke up wet. Mothers were wringing out what little they had.
Six families lost everything. Not some of their belongings — everything. No roof. No dry floor. No bed to return to.
"These are the same families we walk alongside every day. The same children who collect their soup from us every single day."
Love Looks Like SomethingWe are glad to say our soup kitchen is back on its feet — our staff are making soup daily and the children are fed. But the storm took things the kitchen cannot replace: a roof, a warm bed, shoes, dry clothes, a home.
The damage — Golden Valley · 11 May 2026
These are the people we know by name. The grandmothers. The young mothers. The children who have been coming to our soup kitchen since they were small. We were in their homes on the 12th of May, and what we saw broke our hearts — and strengthened our resolve. We are not going anywhere. We are staying, rebuilding, and asking you to rebuild with us.
What we need right now
Corrugated iron sheeting
For permanent roof repairs. Six homes are entirely exposed. Any standard size accepted.
Heavy-duty plastic sheeting
Emergency weatherproofing while permanent repairs are underway. Families cannot wait.
Warm clothing, shoes & jackets
Children lost clothing in the storm. Warm jackets, shoes, and dry clothes are urgently needed. Contact us for sizes before dropping off.
Blankets
Families are sleeping in the cold. Any size, any condition — blankets are needed immediately for children and adults.
Beds & bedding
Six families lost everything they slept on. Beds, mattresses, and bedding of any kind will restore basic dignity to these homes.
Builders, roofers & handymen
If you can offer your hands, your skills, or your contacts in the building trade — please reach out. Every hour counts.
If you have contacts in the building trade, access to materials, or would like to organise a collection drive, please get in touch directly. We will make sure everything reaches the right hands.
"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward."
Matthew 10:42These families have already lost so much. What they need now is not pity — it is people who are willing to pick up a sheet of iron and help them start again. That is what love looks like. And that is what we are asking you to be today.
Two organisations. One community.
Love Looks Like Something is the founding ministry behind Elpida. Both organisations serve the same community — the same children, the same families, the same valley.
Love Looks Like Something runs the daily soup kitchen — the meals, the presence, the consistent hands-on care that has been showing up in Golden Valley since 2020.
Elpida is the registered NPO and PBO born from that daily work — building the long-term infrastructure this community needs: a school, a trauma centre, sports facilities, and a permanent home for this vision.
Unless you instruct us otherwise, all donations received right now go directly to emergency storm relief — rebuilding the six homes lost on 11 May and meeting the immediate needs of the families and children affected. If you would prefer your gift directed elsewhere — the soup kitchen, the long-term build, or a specific need — please note it clearly on your payment reference and email us. Every rand is accounted for, and every donor will know where their gift landed.
Email proof of payment to admin@lovelookslikesomething.co.za or call 063 771 7817. Donations to Love Looks Like Something fund the daily soup kitchen and direct community care.
Email proof of payment to admin@elpidageorge.co.za.
Section 18A tax certificates: Elpida is a registered Public Benefit Organisation (PBO). If you require a Section 18A certificate for tax deduction purposes, you must donate to Elpida — Love Looks Like Something is not able to issue these. Email proof of payment to admin@elpidageorge.co.za and your certificate will be issued within 30 days.
Unless you instruct otherwise, all Elpida donations received during this appeal go directly to emergency storm relief. To ringfence your gift for the long-term build or another specific purpose, note it on your payment reference and email us the details.