Armed with smiles, spades, and gloves, a team of volunteers tackled the task of cleaning up their community with enthusiasm, picking up litter, clearing reeds, and cutting grass.

The Seriti Institute non-profit organisation, in collaboration with the Tshepang Programme for Orphaned and Vulnerable Children, hosted the community clean-up day on March 25 to bring cleanliness and dignity to the community.

The day was well-attended by community members, Tshepang beneficiaries, youth members, and local soccer teams who all rolled up their sleeves to clean the sports grounds.

According to Nelson Lesajane from Seriti, the day was about more than just cleaning up – it was about educating the community, especially children, about the importance of taking care of their environment.

“We want to keep the grounds clean because it’s a space that keeps our kids busy, fit, and healthy,” he said.

Seriti, which started in 2009, focuses on raising awareness about issues like air pollution, gender-based violence, and HIV/ Aids, and this clean-up was a perfect opportunity to put those values into action.

Also read: Calls for accountability as Ham Street pothole worsens

The Tshepang Programme, on the other hand, offers care and support in the form of homework supervision, the provision of daily meals, life skills groups and recreational activities.

“We also want to teach our kids that littering is a no-go, and that our environment is valuable,” Nelson added.

The event was a hit, not just for the impact it had on the community, but also for bringing people together. After the hard work, everyone enjoyed some well-deserved water and snacks.