Schalk plans clean-up project with Berea’s homeless

A MORNINGSIDE resident is intent on doing all he can to clean up the area, while helping people living on the street.

Schalk van Schalkwyk recognised the plight of the homeless in the area, and after striking up a friendship with Eric Hart, (64), who has lived on the streets for almost 12 years, decided to try do something to help.

Schalk saw an article in Berea Mail regarding the clean-up undertaken in Dalton Precinct, where homeless people helped to clean the area, and thought this was a novel idea. He came up with the idea of starting the Berea Homeless People Project to clean Berea in the same way, and has approached the municipality with his idea.

“I have talked to people like Eric and asked what they want to do, as many of these people don’t want to go to shelters, where they are often robbed of their belongings. Also, some of these shelters cost R60, so where do they get this money? I have tried to get Eric a job and pension, but I thought, if he is happy in his situation how could I help to assist his lifestyle,” he said.

He said there were 21 people living on the street in the area, and felt he needed to see how he could work together with them and local business to encourage them to do something constructive. He said he felt a clean-up project was the answer.

Schalk said the reponse he got from the municipality was encouraging.

“The municipality were not negative and I got a lot of positive feedback from them. I now have to put together a business plan of what I want to do, which I am busy with, and I hope to meet with them again this week,” he said.

Schalk would like to do a clean-up operation in Novembe, and said he would need people from schools in the area to make up teams to clean up.

“I would like to get a large map of Berea and will operate from a business in Windermere. We would work a system, block by block and try to work at maintaining and sustaining the project. I want to try to do what the municipality can’t achieve with its limited manpower and resources,” he said.

Schalk aims to speak to businesses and factories in industrial areas to do clean-ups on big premises. He would encourage small payment for the workers which will enable them to buy items that they need to live.

“My goal is to skill the men and when they are on the ball, we can approach factories to do work. This will be an ongoing project, so I will need help from the community,” he said.

Schalk encourages anyone who can help to contact him. He will also need a truck to follow the cleaners to remove rubbish, and is appealing to any company who could, to sponsor overalls for the men.

“I’m hoping and praying people will come forward to help. We will also do fun things on clean-up weekends like burger day competitions. My goal is to clean-up and also use this as an outreach and bring the Lord to the people,” he said.

If you can help, contact Schalk on 072 636 5001.