We caught up with Pieter Bosch, who is the Programme Manager for Social Relief and Outreach for MES. He gave us an update on their GROW Hillbrow Project.
The GROW Hillbrow Programme launched in October 2014. During the 159 days that the Programme has been operational, it has had 113 participants. Currently, there are 60 active participants but there could be more active participants if more funding was available to mobilise more teams.
Typically, a GROW Hillbrow Programme team member will report for work at 08:30. Following a short motivational and strategy talk about the plan for the day, work starts at 09:00. The teams then go to the designated clean up spots, where they work until 13:00. At 13:00, team members report back to Head Office where they participate in workshops on life skills, money matters and other issues relevant to them.
Participants are empowered and encouraged to improve their lives in a number of ways while they’re on the programme: getting an ID document; staying in a shelter instead of sleeping on the streets; buying a cellphone and airtime. The Programme helps participants realise their own worth through serving the local community in a constructive way. The Programme is proving to be a great success – both with participants and members of the Hillbrow community. One of the participants has returned to complete his schooling, after being encouraged to do so. The Hillbrow community has also responded positively – here are some of their comments:
“I wish you guys could get the contract to keep the city clean!”
“You guys work hard and we can really see the difference.”
“It’s a pity we cannot have you around every day to keep the place clean.”
“Where do you come from because we can really see the difference you make.”
Keep up the good work MES! To visit this project click here.
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