EASTERN CAPE FINALIST 2023

In August 2023, Revive Willowmore took a significant leap forward, thanks to the generous R200,000 donation from Lottoland's Help 'n Town initiative. These funds allowed us to tackle two vital projects in our town: the renovation of the
Training Centre and essential upgrades to the Recycling Plant.

Training Centre Renovation: A Community Reborn

The Training Centre, once a bustling community hub, had sadly fallen into disrepair due to neglect and vandalism, no longer serving its intended purpose. With the support from Lottoland, we embarked on a comprehensive renovation project to restore it to its full potential. The upgrades included:

• Repairing the perimeter security fence
• Replacing the stolen gate
• Repainting the building’s interior and exterior
• Replacing broken windows
• Repairing or replacing burglar bars
• Constructing a secure strong room with a door
• Repairing the veranda roof supports
• Replacing fascia boards on the roof
• Fixing plumbing issues in the toilets
• Building tables for classroom use
• Repairing security doors
• Cleaning the grounds and planting greenery

Thanks to the generous funding, we were also able to offer temporary employment to 22 local workers, fostering a sense of community spirit throughout the project. When the renovation was completed, only the strong room door remained unfinished. This was completed in 2024 with the help of an additional donation.

We are excited about the future of the Training Centre and the opportunity it will provide for a range of courses and programs that will benefit our community for years to come.

Recycling Plant Revitalization: Enhancing Efficiency and Sustainability

A major part of Lottoland’s contribution was used to breathe new life into our Recycling Plant, which had been facing several operational challenges. Recycling is crucial to maintaining a cleaner, more sustainable town, so it was essential to
address these issues. Here's a look at the improvements made:

• Repaired the pickup truck (bakkie)
• Fixed the baler machine
• Enclosed the two open sides of the main building
• Added sliding doors at the lower end of the building
• Installed a sliding door at the side entrance near the admin block
• Repainted the admin block, both inside and out
• Installed burglar bars on all windows of the admin block
• Built a new security gate for the admin block
• Provided a bed for the two young security guards working overnight shifts
• Installed a 2400-liter water tank connected to the admin block
• Replaced the toilet system and cistern in the admin block
• Upgraded all plumbing
• Installed lights and electrical sockets in the admin block and near the baler
• Repaired the main entrance gate
• Repaired fencing and replaced missing barbed wire around the perimeter

A dedicated team of 11 workers came together to complete these improvements, ensuring that the plant could operate more effectively and sustainably.

Thanks to further investment from an external donor, the Recycling Plant has been equipped with additional machinery, a vehicle, and two trailers, which will help enhance its operations even more in the future.

We are proud of the progress made in both projects and remain committed to continuing our work to support the growth and sustainability of Willowmore.