Ward 112 Councillor Madeleine Hicklin and Ward 23 Councillor Sarah Wissler embarked on a project, together with various community members, to build beds using discarded wooden pallets.
“As we are all aware, there is a growing number of people in South Africa who live below the poverty line with scarcely enough food to feed their families. Many of these people live in any one of the 58 informal settlements in the city,” said Hicklin.
The project aims to ensure that people who live in informal settlements have beds to sleep on. “Companies throw away hundreds of wooden pallets every day, therefore it is the best material to use. We will be able to help more people because there won’t be a short supply of material,” said Hicklin.
The team was assembled on 10 August and includes Julie Suddaby, the Democratic Alliance PR Councillor for Ward 92 and Ward 111 as well as Sian de Jong, the principal of Midrand’s Montessori Schools.
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Ten families in need have been identified and ten beds will be distributed in Kaalfontein. Beds will also be distributed in other areas of concern. The team has already assembled 11 beds in three weeks and will continue constructing more beds.
“The community has really rallied behind the initiative. Remata Print and Communication on New Road is our pallet supplier, Carma Design is sponsoring nails, screws and brackets and community members Andrew Paterson, Peter Theunissen and Carolyn Burn donated screws, nails, and wood glue.”
The project still needs a supplier that will donate foam mattresses, therefore no beds have been delivered yet. Hicklin is encouraging community members as well as companies in the community to assist in sponsoring mattresses.
Details: Call Madeleine Hicklin on 082 744 5155 to be a sponsor or volunteer and to identify families in need.
