The couple moved into their two-bedroom house last Friday after living in a guest house on the premises of the Departement of Correctional Services (DCS) in Union Street for more than two months.
Fifteen offenders from the George Prison's maintenance and building team, led by Nico Sebia, helped with the renovations at Matthys's house, which included levelling the floors, redoing the electricity and plumbing, repairing structural defects, replacing the doors, putting in ceilings, painting the interior and exterior as well as replacing the stairs with ramps at the back and front door. The house, whose interior was almost destroyed by three fires, was also furnished from the living room to the kitchen.
Matthys, a former carpenter who lost his sight in 2005, on Friday told the George Herald that he feels so blessed and thanked everyone who helped make their dream come true.
"I can't see, but I know it is beautiful. I can smell it, it smells new. I'm so happy. Thank you, thank you and thank you."
It was during a visit to the house in Conville that had been built from funds donated by members of Correctional Services in the Southern Cape for a disabled man that the circumstances of Matthys and his wife were brought to the attention of the Department of Correctional Services by Deputy Minister of Human Settlement, Zoliswa Kote-Fredericks.
The DCS Area Commissioner, Ndileka Booi, immediately saw an opportunity to make a difference in the community she and her members serve with so much pride and without hesitation accepted the challenge to renovate the house of this family.
The interior of Matthys's house was severly damaged by three fires. He and his wife had no furniture, only the matress they slept on and a torn car seat that stood in the living room.
John Matthys and his wife, Susan, with Ms Ndelika Booi (far left), area commissioner of DCS in the Southern Cape and the Deputy Minister of Human Settlement, Zoliswa Kote-Fredericks (right).
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