The Little Falls and Upper Strubens Valley Community Forum (LIFCO) has started a street-numbering project covering all 68 streets within its area.

According to LIFCO chairperson Claire Fauchet, the project began earlier this year after funds were raised through the forum’s Valentine’s raffle.

Residents and businesses supported the raffle, with several businesses donating prizes. Beagle Watch Armed Response and Hadeco provided the grand prizes.

Fauchet said the funds raised through the raffle were used to purchase paint for the street-numbering project.

The LIFCO committee waited for the rainy season to officially end before starting the project.

“The team spent considerable time testing various stencils until we were completely happy with them, before applying the numbering to the kerb,” she said.

According to Fauchet, the street numbering is intended to improve navigation and safety, as well as assist residents, visitors and emergency services in locating properties during incidents such as fires, burglaries and other emergencies.

Volunteers worked on the project during an event on Saturday, August 8, painting street numbers along Witwatersrand Avenue from 08:00 to noon.

Fauchet said the project also led to the creation and formalisation of LIFCO’s Youth Volunteers. The volunteers participate in neighbourhood projects as part of their community service hours required for their school syllabus.

“This project is another example of what can be achieved when a community works together,” she said.

LIFCO is encouraging residents who have not yet joined the association to become financially contributing members to support the project and other neighbourhood initiatives.

For more information or to join LIFCO, visit www.lifco.co.za or contact Fauchet on 082 465 1523.