Clean up for better days with Litter4Tokens

Rewarding a good deed with a full tummy was the thinking behind Litter4Tokens, started by a concerned Ballito resident in Shakashead in 2015.

The concept is simple – picking up litter in return for tokens that are used to buy food and household items from the token shop.

Clare Bowman said she started Litter4Tokens due to the severe poverty on the Dolphin Coast.

“We have queues of people and kids coming to the shop at Ithembalabasha every Friday to redeem their tokens,” said Bowman.

The shop stocks everything from clothes, shoes, toys and stationary to dry food such as samp, beans, maize meal, rice, oil, washing powder, sugar and porridge.

Olala Interiors Ballito donate dry goods every month as well as Ashton International College who collect recycling and use the funds generated to buy dry goods for the token shop.

The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa (IWMSA) – a nonprofit association that supports professional waste management practices – has also come on board.

The Shakashead community are signed up to the campaign, as well as the following schools: Sizani Combined School, R.A. Padayachee and Maguyane Primary School.

The children get their litter bags, sponsored by PETCO, from their school and collect the recycling.

“Grannies and children collect about 1000 bags of litter a month. They collect paper, plastic and glass in separate bags and are given a token worth R5 per bag.”

The recycling is then sold to Dolphin Coast Waste Management to buy supplies for the token shop which is always in need of more stock.

“Children are our future and that is why this campaign has such an important message: not only to keep our world clean but instilling pride and giving back to the people who pick up,” said Bowman, who now lives in America but works together with fellow locals Kyle Crichton and Sue Benningfield who manage the campaign on her behalf.

“We are in constant communication so we can keep this campaign alive and our vision is to grow it across the country as no one should be without food and there is no excuse for any litter.”

Ithembalabasha School’s head teacher and Shaka’s Head resident Doreen Yengwa said the elderly, unemployed and orphans are dependent on Litter4token to feed their families.

“I pray every day that this project does not stop as they depend on it. It has given hope to those who know if they collect recyclables, they can get a bag of samp or rice.

“It makes me cry when I see the queues of people waiting for their food as some go home disappointed if the shop runs out before their turn. We are desperate for more food donations for the shop!”

If you would like to support this campaign, you can donate directly to Litter4Tokens via their website www.litter4tokens.co.za or drop goods at the token shop at Ithembalabasha or contact Sue Beningfields at 083 409 0949.

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