Unsung heroes of Eldos ensure children’s safety

Eldorado Park-based points women volunteers Sina Williams and Shirley Forre have earned the admiration of Kliptown and Pimville residents for their tireless efforts in ensuring the safety of school children crossing Union Avenue.

Since April 2023, the pair has dedicated their weekdays to helping children cross the road during morning and afternoon peak hours.

Mary Reyneck, a parent who crosses the road daily with her son, praised the volunteers for their selfless service.

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“What they are doing is very good because, before, children used to get knocked down by vehicles,” Reyneck said, recalling a child still receiving treatment at Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital after being knocked down a few months ago.

“I would like to say well done to them. I know they don’t get paid for what they do, but we really appreciate it, especially when you’re coming from the Pimville area. We are grateful because it’s not just for us but our children as well.”

Emmanuel Davids, another community member, expressed gratitude towards the volunteers. “Keep it up; God is watching. It’s beautiful to watch because our children are not safe on the roads.”

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Williams and Forre began volunteering after being approached by Mitchell Godden’s, who ran a company focused on road safety awareness campaigns and education. Initially, they were promised a potential stipend.

“We were provided with uniforms, road signs, and we were inspected,” Williams explained.

“Goddens advised us to take job opportunities that may come in between. At a later stage, we were told we would not get a stipend.”

Forre added, “It wasn’t only us; everyone who was part of the first rollout of the programme was never paid a stipend. We later learned that Goddens had resigned from the programme.”

Despite the lack of payment, Williams and Forre remain committed to their cause, inspired by their love for the children.

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Guldens clarified that her company partnered with the Department of Community Safety to obtain points certificates, allowing them to stop vehicles and assist pedestrians.

“There was no money involved in what we were doing; it was voluntary work. We were doing community work, and they were assisting us to execute it.”

However, funding issues led to the cancellation of stipends.

“We signed contracts, and they were expected to be renewed, but that didn’t happen. At the time, we had already signed, and Williams and Forre were not on the programme.

“They joined after the department told us that they were looking at taking more people with a promising contract extension, but it never materialized because there was no money.”

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Sibusiso Zwane, Greater Eldorado Park CPF chairperson, acknowledged the challenges faced by unpaid patrollers like Williams and Forre.

“The greater Eldos has 225 patrollers, and out of that, there are those who are deployed at 18 schools. Those patrollers in schools are paid by the Department of Education, but others are not getting any stipend.”

Zwane emphasized that it is a programme that needs the DCS to look into, especially for those going the extra mile.

“In a nutshell, everybody starts with the motive of doing something for the community, but remember you still have to eat, dress up, and smell good.

“As you do this thing, you will notice that other people are getting something somewhere, and you start losing that passion.”

Williams and Forre attempted to arrange with schools to pay a small fee to help the pair earn money to support their families and children.

The community’s appreciation and the children’s smiles keep Williams and Forre motivated. “We wake up every morning, whether there’s rain or sunshine because we are inspired by our love for the young children,” Forre said.