Creating a safe haven within the rubble
CHARTWELL – Chartwell residents team up with the City of Johannesburg to make a clean difference in Kya Sands informal settlement
Intent on doing their bit to keep their environment clean, residents of Kya Sands informal settlement formed a volunteer group to not only clean up their area but also keep their children safe.
The group is made up of a number of residents who take turns in volunteering their time on a weekly basis.
Meeting the residents half way, various departments of the City of Johannesburg and residents from Chartwell provided the volunteers with tools to kick-start their operation.
Keith Horwood, a Chartwell resident and businessman said, “This is a pinprick of what needs to be done, as the conditions [in the settlement] are terrible.” Horwood supplied the residents with shovels, picks and rakes.
He confirmed that businesses in the area were more than willing to assist in future.
Pierre Nel, spokesperson for Region A Citizen Relationship Urban Management, explained that besides daily cleaning, the volunteer group also served as the City’s eyes and ears as they reported any illegal activities that transpired in the area. Nel said, “In the last two weeks there has been a reduction in illegal dumping which has really assisted local businesses as well as residents in the area.”
He added that the operation was a joint one with Metro police, Pikitup, Environmental Health, Community Works Programme, and the Housing Department.
Nel confirmed that volunteers planned on creating a safe and clean play area for children to play in, and a vegetable garden which would assist in feeding families in the community.
