ICYMI: Paulshof community makes a difference on World Rivers Day
CRAIGAVON – Fourways Can organised a neighbourhood clean-up with the financial sponsorship of a real estate company.
It took two days and many black bags, but the streets of Craigavon are looking as clean as can be thanks to the work done by Fourways Community Action Network (Can) recently.
The clean-up was sponsored by Pam Golding Properties, who assisted in paying those working in the clean-up R200 each.
Fourways Can leader and resident in Craigavon, Janna Couto said she was shocked at how polluted the area had become. “The thing I don’t understand is that people walk these streets, they live here and have always loved it. They like walking [with] their kids here,” she said.
“The area before we cleaned up just had so much dirt, razor blades, rats, and caked-on sewerage on the pavements. It was absolutely disgusting.”
Those who were working on cleaning the streets are residents from the Pipeline Informal Settlement and some of whom were assisted by Couto to get food and necessities during Level 5 lockdown.
Couto decided to help them obtain a better method of income and help them find jobs, “The idea was that we cannot just give people food, and I knew people were complaining about the area was looking terrible. I thought to myself that we should take these guys who are eager to work and create some sort of employment for them.”
Area specialist from Pam Golding, Lerato Zako said it was great to see people get involved with cleaning up the area.
“It does benefit everyone to live in a clean environment and giving them employment,” she said.
“The biggest thing is there are people who are looking for employment, and not just for handouts. It’s another way for us to help people get some dignity back, and make them feel like they’ve worked for something.”
Zako told the Fourways Review that giving back to the community would be nice with the possibility of getting involved with community projects Fourways Can have in the future. “It is not our first time working with Fourways Can. While we don’t want to commit to anything just yet for future projects, we would definitely like to get involved possibly with a feeding scheme, or trying to upskill people,” she concluded.
Couto said Fourways Can members are working on other initiatives such as planting vegetable gardens.
She concluded that she hopes to see the community get involved more to keep the area clean.
