Calling on Greenwood Park community to join clean-up campaign

Greenwood Park Primary School, in partnership with its partners, Cleansing and Solid Waste, Parks Durban North, various organisations and the community, is thrilled to be hosting a community clean-up and fundraising fun day on Saturday, July 22, from 8:30am to 4pm.

The day will kick off with the community clean-up and will be followed by an exciting fundraising fun day, featuring a five-a-side soccer tournament, flea market, a kiddies corner and live music.

The objective of the day is to rejuvenate, beautify and encourage a sense of civic pride within the community and raise funds for the school hall.

Michelle Tryon of Destiny Fulfilled reminisced about the camaraderie and rich legacy within the community.

Tryon said she and her team are choosing to clean Mimosa Road because it’s sentimental to them and are participating in the clean-up and fun day in an effort to give back to the community that raised them and acknowledge where it all began.

The Destiny Fulfilled team has been deeply impacted by community stalwarts.

“We remember, we honour and we continue,” she said.

She especially remembers and honours the legacy of her late father, Dr Basil Tryon, the late Mr Basil Clarivette, the late Mrs Jane Roberts, the late Mrs Gwen Johnson and the late Mrs Linda Ullbricht. She spoke of the legacy of community development and empowerment Dr Tryon had left.

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“He loved this community and served the community all his life and built the New Covenant Fellowship (NCF) in Tweed Road to serve the community. It began in 1986 when Mr Basil Clarivette, the then principal of Greenwood Park Primary School, whose legacy of faith and giving people opportunities, opened the doors of the school hall to be used to house the early days of NCF. She spoke of the impact of the legacy of generosity that Mrs Roberts, a widow at the time demonstrated. Mrs Roberts opened her home in Bawden Place when her family had nowhere to live. Mrs Johnson’s legacy of hospitality when she opened her home for the first meetings. Mrs Ullbricht was a phenomenal woman who left a legacy of prayer and support. She also believed in the youth, youth development and leadership,” said Tryon.

Greenwood Park Primary School SGB secretary, Hayley Fernandez, said she is thrilled to witness the community’s participation and involvement and encouraged everyone to bring along their cleaning equipment, water and sunblock.

Valerie Sissing of SLJ Consulting, who is the health and safety officer at the event, said that health and safety were of paramount importance. She said she would ensure all procedures are in place to make the day a safe and successful one.

Yondisa Capha of CSW is excited to be partnering with the school on such an important and impactful initiative.

“We are encouraged to see the unity of the community and how they will work well together,” she said.

Selisha Singh of Green Buddies Environment Club appealed to the community to come out and participate in the clean-up which will cover the main entrance roads namely Mimosa Road, Effingham Road, Ardrossan Road as well as a few other roads in the community.

CPF Youth Desk Greenwood Park precinct chairperson, Ashlin Ellan, said, “The CPF Youth Desk always supports initiatives within our precinct that lead to the social upliftment and improvement of our community. We aim to develop leadership on social upliftment and equip our youth with the necessary leadership skills and make their community a safe space. We look forward to seeing all members of the community and businesses come out for this clean-up to help restore the community of Greenwood Park to its former dignity and aesthetic beauty. We are supported by Greenwood Park SAPS, the CPF and various security companies that offer their services within our area.”

Organisers look forward to seeing you and your family equipped with gloves, brooms, rakes, grass cutters, caps, sunblock, and water bottles as they collectively reclaim their area.

For more information on the clean-up and fun day or sponsorship opportunities, contact Hayley on 083-650-7823, Michael on 083-992-2256 or Farrah on 082-842-3721.