KARIEGA – The spirit of community service was on full display this week as work rehabilitation teams from MES Kariega continued their efforts to improve local school environments by cleaning the grounds of Winterberg Primary School and C.W. Hendrickse Primary School.

The initiative forms part of MES’s ongoing work rehabilitation programme, which provides beneficiaries with opportunities to gain meaningful work experience while making a positive contribution to their communities.

According to MES head of marketing, Anelle Erasmus, the work is carried out by the organisation’s Kariega Work Readiness team.

“Our work rehabilitation programme is about restoring dignity through purposeful work. By assisting with the cleaning of school environments, our beneficiaries are not only contributing to the community but are also developing valuable skills and a sense of pride in their work,” said Erasmus.

She said creating safe, clean and welcoming environments for children to learn and grow remains an important priority for the organisation.

The relationship between MES and the two schools has been ongoing for the past five months, with teams continuing to provide support on a regular basis. However, Erasmus noted that the programme extends far beyond cleaning school grounds.

Over the years, beneficiaries have been involved in a range of community upliftment projects, including establishing community vegetable gardens, restoring and building wooden flower boxes, recycling initiatives, grass cutting, floor polishing, window washing and maintaining the grounds of the Department of Education through its partnership with C.W. Hendrickse Primary School.

Erasmus encouraged local businesses, organisations and city cleaning districts to partner with the work rehabilitation teams to help expand the programme’s reach and impact.

“Partnerships with local stakeholders can help create more meaningful work opportunities for our beneficiaries while contributing to cleaner and healthier communities. Together, we can make a lasting difference, one clean space at a time.”

She added that MES welcomes opportunities to broaden the skills and experience of beneficiaries by connecting them with community members, businesses and organisations willing to invest in their development.

“The community can contact me for any type of work or skill development that they’d like to invest in and I’ll gladly consider all options. We welcome the opportunity to build depth into our programme and beneficiaries by connecting the knowledge and resources available in our local community with those eager to learn,” said Erasmus.

Erasmus said the programme’s impact extends beyond Kariega, with MES teams working across Nelson Mandela Bay in partnership with organisations such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Friends of St George’s, Siyavuka for Kids and the Central Special Rating Area, as well as private residents who make use of the teams’ gardening and maintenance services.

MES is inviting businesses, organisations and community groups interested in making use of the work rehabilitation teams to get involved. For more information contact Nadine du Pisanie on 076 113 8044.

ALSO READ: MES office opens branch in Kariega CBD