Inspired by a social media post that showed a waitress reading to a blind patron, the team undertake to convert a home that a couple want to use as a centre for the blind.
The power of social media can change lives as we learn on this week’s very special episode of "Vat jou goed en trek!"
In September last year social media was buzzing when a picture of a waitress in Pretoria went viral as she patiently read the menu to a blind customer. It inspired the "Vat jou goed en trek!" team to open their eyes and give back to the community by helping couple Geoff and Natalie upgrade a centre that they bought for the blind.
Geoff was born with a degenerative eye condition that left him completely blind in his early twenties. That however, hasn’t stopped him from living his life. He has even sailed across the ocean on a single person expedition that ended with him in the record books.
Natalie and Geoff chat to the team
Wife Natalie and Geoff want to transform a property they bought to house other visually impaired people and provide them with the help they need. Unfortunately, Natalie and Geoff overspent on the purchase of the property and as a result can’t afford the improvement needed to make the property suitable for the blind.
The "Vat jou goed en trek!" team jumps at the challenge and immediately sets out a work plan.
The property stood vacant for many months before Geoff and Natalie bought it and as a result the house was stripped of practically everything by thieves.
Wilma from Unique projects undertake to give them an entire new kitchen complete with appliances including a new stove.
With Geoff himself having fallen in twice, the pool is a big hazard. The team needs to put up a fence around the pool but finding the right product is a challenge. Luckily Security Experts comes to the rescue and supplies a fence that will secure the pool area and prevent people from falling in.
Kyle from Plantinfo tells Henck that he’s planning a garden that has plants and flowers with distinctive smells so the visually impaired can also enjoy them. He shows Natalie and Henck a clever way to up-cycle an old garden pot and turn it into a beautiful garden fountain.
Henck breaks away from the chaos at the construction and visit Mark Coetzee from Private Property. In the spirit of doing your bit for the community Henck asks Mark about Private Property’s involvement with charity. Mark tells Henck about the Liv Village project where orphaned and vulnerable children are taken in and housed in the Liv village. They are paired with women who serve as house mothers in order to create a family. The kids are fed, educated and sheltered while receiving love and support.
Back at the house, Geoff takes Henck outside and blindfolds him to give him an idea of what it feels like to be blind and demonstrates how to use a walking stick.
Marika from RE/MAX Randgro drops by unexpectedly with loads of donations that she received. It includes bedding, cutlery, dishes, glasses, etc.
The time for the big reveal finally arrives. The garden looks beautiful and Geoff comments on the fountain. He continues to say that it is so helpful because the sound provides him with a reference as to where he is on the property when he is outside.
They move into the kitchen. The kitchen looks amazing. The team has put in a completely new functioning kitchen with new appliances. Natalie is overwhelmed with emotion.
Moving upstairs where they enter the bedrooms. Kevin from Po10tail Property Consulting has completely redone the rooms. The electrical wiring has been repaired, the walls have been painted and new ceilings have been installed.
Natalie and Geoff are completely blown away – they are thrilled that the centre can now be opened and can’t wait to start making a difference in other people’s lives.
Henck has one more surprise. In the next room is Mashella, the waitress who’s photo went viral for reading the menu to a blind customer. Geoff thanks her for her service to the visually impaired and Henck gives her a voucher for a weekend away at a luxurious guesthouse and spa.
Enter the competition and win
Private Property is running a Vat Jou Goed en Trek competition for the duration of the series, where one lucky entrant will have the chance to win a R50 000 Cashbuild voucher.
To enter, simply visit the Vat Jou Goed en Trek competition page on Private Property, answer the simple question and submit your entry.
Vat Jou Goed en Trek airs every Friday at 17:30, on kykNET, DSTV channel 144. Weekly repeats : Sundays at 11:00, Monday at 11:30, Tuesday at 1:30 Wednesday at 02:30