Masupatsela

THE CLEAN SHOP
DIRECTED by JACQUELINE VAN MEYGAARDEN
EDITED by TINA-LOUISE SMITH
TX 24th May 2010

Trevor Mulaudzi came from a family that believed in the power of education. Having worked hard at school and grown up to be a geologist, Trevor was incredulous when he spotted school children walking about the streets of Rustenberg during school hours. He stopped his car, got out and demanded that the children return to school.

The children told Trevor that they needed to find clean toilets before they could go back to school. When Trevor realised that filthy toilets were driving children out of schools and interfering with their potential to learn, he gave up working as a geologist on the mines, rolled up his sleeves and started cleaning South African school toilets. In the beginning he offered to do this for no charge and he eventually devised a system where he sold toilet rolls to schools, which they in turn could sell to the parents and use that money to pay him.

Trevor struggled in the beginning – he had to learn about chemicals and sewerage systems, but he was determined to ensure children had clean toilets when they went to school. As his idea gained ground amongst principals, his company, The Clean Shop, started to employ parents of the schools and have them clean the toilets for their children and their schoolmates. Cleaners who have been with The Clean Shop for a while get their own set of cleaning products and equipment and are then sent off on their own to begin their own cleaning business.

Schools that work with The Clean Shop vouch for the fact that children are happier and more attentive since the toilets at their schools have been cleaned.

TO CONTACT OR CONTRIBUTE TO THE CLEAN SHOP:
please contact Trevor Mulaudzi on +27 82 973 1082 or email Trevor.

TO FOLLOW IN TREVOR’S SIMPLE YET TRAILBLAZING FOOTSTEPS YOU WILL NEED TO:
- form a company, like Trevor did
- get together all the people involved to work out how you can solve the problem
- apply for funding from the relevant government departments and other funders
- donate your services for free in the beginning
- advertise your services to big businesses who will be able to afford them
- work out new ways to help people generate income through your project
- convince all involved to take ownership of the project to improve awareness
- watch your company grow

DON’T CRY AFRICA
DIRECTED by LESEDI MOGOATLHE
EDITED by TINA-LOUISE SMITH
TX 24th May 2010

Cornet Kleynhans studied graphic design and went on to work as an artist. As she became overwhelmed by the poverty around her, she lay her dreams for herself aside and decided to do something that would have an impact on other people’s lives. Along with a few other people she formed the organisation Don’t Cry Africa that works hand-in-hand with the local police to ensure the basic material needs of local children are met.

Through their work in the area, the police are alerted to situations where people are in need. They are not able to assist directly, they are required to refer people to NGOs and to the Department of Social Development. Now the Mangkweng police draw Don’t Cry Africa into their network and point them in the direction of those they may be able to help.

As a result Don’t Cry Africa has built relationships with various local bodies, like Pula-Madibogo Primary School in Mangkweng and the orphan drop-in centre run by Pastor Lea. Don’t Cry Africa responds to the needs of the children and families within these organisations by organising sponsors for clothing and other necessities, e.g. they have supplied school uniforms, school shoes, shoe polish and toiletries for the children.

Many of the children at Pastor Lea’s drop-in centre are orphans who often do not have full time adult care. Through the combined efforts of Pastor Lea’s team and Don’t Cry Africa these children also get new clothes and toiletries that they would otherwise not have.

TO CONTACT OR CONTRIBUTE TO DON’T CRY AFRICA:
please contact Cornet on +27 82 447 6793 or email Cornet.

TO FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF CORNET KLEYNHANS AND DON’T CRY AFRICA, YOU WILL NEED TO:
- follow your heart and take the idea of helping people more seriously
- start to raise funds for your work
- donate food parcels and other resources where needed
- register your project as an NGO
- become a more active member of your community, so that people know your work
- visit schools, churches and other community groups to hear the problems you may be able to assist with
- work to secure sponsorship for people’s salaries
- continue to liaise with the police social wing to identify new community issues and problems to assist with

SCREEN GRABS FROM THE CLEAN SHOP AND DON’T CRY AFRICA STORIES: