Bin there, done that
DOUGLASDALE - They're young, ambitious and enterprising and they're making Fourways a healthier place, one dustbin at a time.
Tshepo Marakalala and Laco Mtlhane are the chairs of the Douglasdale police Youth Desk as well as the heads of non-profit organisation United Youth.
Two years ago, the duo started a dustbin-cleaning project in which their team washes down and sanitises the inside of dustbins in an effort to kill bacteria which could cause diseases.
Mtlhane explained that the project was conceived after the Youth Desk received numerous reports of children in Kya Sands becoming very ill. The Youth Desk investigated and with the help of information received from Witkoppen and Olivedale clinics, they came to the realisation that children were picking up diseases from unsanitary dustbins.
“Children often play around bins and don’t wash their hands afterwards,” Mtlhane said. “It was when we heard about a case of a nine-year-old child with syphillus in his mouth that we realised germs were being spread from filthy dustbins.” He explained that dirty bins breed harmful bacteria especially because bins are black and absorb heat, which is the ideal condition for bacteria to multiply. Marakalala said the dustbin project served two purposes in that it provided the community with a much needed service, but also helped the unemployed youth of Kya Sands by providing jobs. Currently the dustbin-cleaning team are working in Bloubosrand and at the Douglasdale Police Station. They charge R60 per bin and clean the bin inside and out. Marakalala said the team is encouraging the Fourways community to use their services and also welcome donations or sponsorships of cleaning equipment and uniforms.
Details: 076 309 1832; 072 596 2687; tsb.maraks@gmail.com
