Almost 280 facilities sanitized on the West Rand in 2021 alone

With over one million hours spent fighting the pandemic, Scientology Volunteer Ministers (SVM) reflected on the trials and achievements of its volunteers who have been on the frontlines for more than 500 days.

Not only did they help protect millions of lives but they are clearly resolute to carry on.

Public Affairs Director of the organisation Sandile Hlayisi said since the beginning of the pandemic in South Africa, the volunteers have been relentless in protecting the nation against the deadly virus and even putting their lives at risk for the safety of all.

“While starting to protect themselves at first, it soon spread out into the community, and then throughout the entire country – and it hasn’t stopped since. Working hand in hand with people all over South Africa, they worked daily since the announcement of the lockdown to offer solutions that would protect millions. They do so by offering free sanitation of international standards, and providing practical skills training to enable the community to remain safe in times like these.”

Hlayisi recently released statistics that show the impact made by SVM since the pandemic started, not sparing a single cent to ensure that everyone is safe.

Over 66 400 buildings were decontaminated across the entire country to protect the vulnerable, all essential services personnel and more. More than 309 262 755 square metres of space were decontaminated (that’s enough distance to go around the Earth more than six times) while over a million vehicles including taxis, buses, ambulances, police cars and fire trucks were decontaminated. This all totals to over 1,1 million hours of volunteer work given and financed by the organisation.

On the West Rand, they have repeatedly sanitized 279 facilities in 2021 alone, including the Randfontein Fire Station, Connie Mulder Centre, Randfontein Home Affairs, West Rand District Municipality, Bekkersdal Clinic, Fochville Clinic, Mohlakeng Clinic, Mogale Youth Care Centre, Rand West City Local Municipality, Randgate Clinic, Carletonville Home Affairs and more.

After the recent lootings, Executive Mayor of Mogale City, Motlalepula Francis Makgatho asked SVM to sanitize the entirety of the Kagiso Mall so that it could be safe for the community once it re-opened.

We were more than happy to oblige because we have been assisting in Mogale City since the beginning. Despite the risks involved in our line of work, we have not taken a day off since the beginning to ensure that we save as many lives as possible, and we are not intending to stop anytime soon,” said Hlayisi.

As a token of his appreciation, the mayor praised the NPO in a letter to thank them for all the sanitizing and skills development work they have been doing throughout the pandemic.

He said never has there been a time in the history of the world when it has been more imperative for people to demonstrate kindness and humanitarianism than now, during this pandemic, that has claimed so many lives and continues to impact the people of Mogale City and the country.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers have set an example of extraordinary kindness by helping people in this dark time with decontamination and hygiene education, a contribution made in the spirit of humanitarianism.

You put yourselves on the frontline, dealing with the destructive coronavirus in order to safeguard and protect the lives of the most vulnerable, essential services and even government.

“You have further brought critical skills and training to so many people, bringing them the empowerment they need not only to help themselves but to reach out and help their communities.”