Neighbours spread love among each other during Covid-19 pandemic
The residents urge other communities to also love and help each other during this pandemic.
Northmead residents (from First to 14th Avenue) have been spreading the message of love thy neighbour among each other since the beginning of lockdown.
However, when they started it was just from First to Sixth Avenue.
The residents are known as Avenuers, a telegram group created for neighbours to communicate and lend a helping hand.
Marinda Beukes, one of the residents who started the initiative, said she believes they have accomplished what has only been a dream of many nations for many years.
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She explained they have always had a community-driven WhatsApp group with separate groups for different purposes.
“However, when lockdown started it dawned that now is the time to be strong and really show the Avenuers that we’re a family,” said Beukes.
“We then started a separate chat group and the results were amazing. We have and still are doing what we do best, to love thy neighbour.”
She said through the group, neigbours got to know each other by names managed to be open and say that they have lost their jobs and haven’t eaten for days.
“Most people who have lost their jobs have found another form of income among each other. The residents have started making homemade dinners and selling it to their neighbours.
All hobbies and talents are posted on the group and neighbours can order from each other,” she said.
“Residents who are electricians, plumbers, mechanics could earn a living with the urgent need and support from their neighbours.”
Beukes said they have a food bank, donated by neighbours for neighbours.
“We have 13 families and seven individuals we support with food, clothes or electricity.
We’re very proud to say we’ve not taken from any other organisation, as we felt others need it more.
“We don’t want to make money or anything, we just want to love and support each other.
“As the Avenuers, we have proven that the community can stand together.
“To take the panic away they have joined hands with SuperCops, a security company based in Northmead.
“They go beyond to help us. We saw there are houses being compromised during the evenings, so we started driving up and down the streets to make sure there are no unwanted visitors in our area.”
She said they are aware that police have a lot on their hands; hence, they started this initiative to take back their streets.
They thank SuperCops for always being available to lend a helping hand.
One of the residents, Adeléne Hartzenberg, said she loves how they all stand together and motivate to help each other.
“Nobody says no because they don’t want to, they all want to help,” said Hartzenberg.
“I think we are blessed to have a lot of positive people on the group. We have grown to be a big strong community.”
Louise Nell, who is also a resident, said now residents greet each other when they drive past.
“This is the first time we’ve known our neighbours. Now you can even let them known when their pets our out on the streets because you know who they belong to,” she said.
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Another resident, Hawa Mohamed, said she loves the community.
She has lived in Lenasia and Ormonde and she has never had a community like this.
“The affection you get from the neighbours is amazing.
“My highlight of the start of the pandemic was when my children went to their father and asked if they can get the neigbhbours to sing the national anthem before we went in lockdown,” said Mohamed.
“Within a few seconds, after we posted on the group, the whole neighbourhood came out and sang the anthem.”
Mohamed has also managed to start a business in which the neighbours have support.
Lionel Marks, from SuperCops, said it all started during lockdown when some of their staff members couldn’t travel to work.
“We gave them accommodation; they didn’t have mattresses or appliances so the Avenuers came on board and assisted,” said Marks.
“They donated a fridge and mattresses for our staff, that’s how we got involved.”
Marks said he grew up in the area and it is close to his heart, and as SuperCops they want to give back and keep the community safe from crime.
The residents urge other communities to also love and help each other during this pandemic.
Beukes said there is power in unity and it’s time to know your neighbour.
