ICYMI: Fourways Can works to empower others
CRAIGAVON – Project initiator and Craigavon resident Janna Couto hopes the clean-up will expand to neighbouring areas to provide more sustainable employment for community members.
The streets of Craigavon are slowly being spruced up while providing employment for 15 people.
Leader of the Fourways Can (Community Action Network) Janna Couto, who has resided in the area for nine years, said she had seen massive deterioration in the look of the pavements over the years.
“I complain every day about the mess but I decided that I need to do something to change it.
“I started the Fourways Can at the beginning of lockdown and have so far fed 1 800 people, but I realised quickly that this is not sustainable. I wanted to see people feed themselves and put food on the table for their families while seeing the Craigavon area improve,” said Couto.
The Fourways Review met Couto on Campbell Road where a team of hard-working people were cutting grass, picking up litter and beautifying the pavement.”I started out sponsoring the first day myself and quickly others jumped on board,” she said, noting that the project had operated for six days so far.
Pam Golding, Excellous Group and residents from various estates have assisted in sponsoring workers each day. Couto said the project was gaining momentum and she hoped it would continue indefinitely.”We are trying to formalise it and get all the estates to pay a small monthly fee for the service and break it into zones. If everyone supports the project, it will work out to a nominal rate.”
Couto added that the project had empowered previously unemployed people to put food on the table while learning skills.She hoped that when other communities saw the difference that had been made, they would want the same for their suburb.
Team leader for the day Rachel Khumbula spoke to the Fourways Review saying, “It’s good to see the area looking good and clean again. I have enjoyed learning to manage people through this project.”
Dumi Servis, who also runs the Diepsloot Can and is part of the project, said, “It’s great to see people hooting as they drive past.
The community really appreciates what we are doing.”Servis wants to start his own gardening company one day and is using this work to gain exposure and experience in the field.”I work with many volunteers in Diepsloot through the Diepsloot Can. I want to see the volunteers employed and able to put food on their tables through job creation,” added Servis.
Photos: Sarah Koning
