The SAPS Greenwood Park CPF Youth Desk SubForum 2 engaged in a successful community clean-up initiative that saw over 40 young volunteers take to the streets to make Effingham a cleaner and greener space for all.
The spokesperson of the SubForum 2 Youth Desk, Sacheev Bhogal said the initiative is a community based campaign aimed at cleaning up the Effingham area, while concurrently raising awareness among young people and residents on the importance of a clean environment as well as the benefits of sustainable living.
“This is part of the ongoing environmental awareness and activities programme launched on World Environment Day in June. This year’s theme is ‘Only One Earth’, drawing our attention towards playing our role effectively, while living in perfect harmony with nature without proving a burden on it,” said Bhogal.
He said the clean-up drive was executed without a hitch through the support and assistance from SAPS, Blue security, Black Diamond Security, Swift Security and Marshall Security together with local organisations such as Teens Under the Hood South Africa, Green Buddies Environmental Club, Greak Youth Forum and Firwood Library.
The event marked the first ever initiative for newly elected chairperson of the SAPS Greenwood Park Youth Desk, Ashlin Ellan. Ellan, who comes from a teaching background, said he always had a passion for youth upliftment and hopes that this initiative will help young people in the community to become more environmentally conscious.
He said: “When I was asked to run for chairperson I felt honoured and that I could make a difference in our youth. Giving back to your community is so important. Our youth has been deprived of a lot due to the pandemic. They need to be educated on civil matters and how to be good citizens, that is our aim.”
The Interim Secretary of the Green Buddies Environmental Club, Selena Govender, commended the youth and all key players on a job well done. She said: “There was heart warming assistance from DSW which was greatly appreciated. It was a fantastic opportunity for the Youth of the community to have a direct impact on helping the environment as well as creating awareness to their peers and the community as they are our future leadership and it is imperative that they get involved now to make a better tomorrow. Altogether the Effingham clean up was a great success allowing the aims and objectives of the CPF Youth Desk sub forum to be perfectly met.”
The Regional Director of Blue Security, Clive Samuels, also expressed his enthusiastic support of the Youth SubForum. He said: “I think what they are doing completely aligns with our vision which is to make sure our communities are safe and thriving. I think what they are doing is amazing.”
The Youth Desk is an ongoing initiative of the SAPS Greenwood Park Community Policing Forum and invites all younger members of the community to get in touch as well as join in on all activities. Bhogal said: “We also encourage parents, guardians, educators and community-based organisations to encourage their youth to get involved with us. Our activities encourage not only a sense of volunteerism, but also develops communication, collaboration, organisational and leadership skills in young people.”
