Wed Jul 17 06:29:32 UTC 2013
The Shoprite Group is taking action and inspiring change! The Group is celebrating the legacy of South Africa’s former President Nelson Mandela by mobilizing its staff and providing resources to assist needy organizations across the country with renovations, repairs, beautification, daily necessities and joyous celebrations on Mandela Day. Over the last few days, hundreds of staff members from the Group’s Head Office in Cape Town and its seven divisional offices in other main centres of South Africa have already started work on more than 20 projects. Stores in the Group are focussing on local projects that aim to contribute in a positive way to the lives of the elderly, abused and destitute women and children, disabled adults and children, those who find themselves unemployed and homeless, as well as abandoned and abused animals. Altogether, the Shoprite Group is focussing on over 200 projects throughout the country. The projects conclude with final touch-ups, donation hand-overs and celebrations at each organization on 18 July 2013.
Across the country, the various divisional offices are focussing on several projects over and above activities that individual stores are participating in within their communities.
A crèche and orphanage, The Little Rose Garden, based in Kliptown, Gauteng is receiving donations of beds, linen, appliances, furniture, carpets and toys and repairs are being done to the kitchen, ablution facilities and the orphanage home. In Boksburg, a home for destitute persons, the New Beginnings Foundation, are having their kitchen and ablution facilities upgraded, receiving a donation of equipment and there’s a children’s party for children from their crèche; and Mercy Haven, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence receives a donation of linen, curtains and toys. The old age home, Othandweni, in Kwaggasrand, Pretoria, have a team of Shoprite employees to assist in the refurbishment of the home, creating a warm and homely environment for its residents.
The Free State Psychiatric Hospital in Bloemfontein receives new beds, cutlery and toys as contributions on Mandela Day. The Erica Child and Youth Care Centre in Cleary Estate, Eastern Cape, is having their boys and girls entertainment areas upgraded.
In the Western Cape, the Tygerberg Hospital’s CANSA Home and a community crèche, Ivy Nyovane, are having renovations and decoration improvements done, whilst receiving donations of linen, crockery, books, toys, and kitchen equipment.
In KwaZulu-Natal, the Thumbela and Miriam Patel Primary Schools based in Durban, have been invited to attend a joint event focussing on a variety of informative displays, meal distribution, children’s activities and health assessments.
Teams from the Shoprite Group’s Head Office have identified beneficiaries with a variety of interventions, which include:
Valley Primary School, a local farmworkers community school and orphanage, has a team from Shoprite to assist with general maintenance, repairs to the play area, construction of a roof over an open passage, installation of a security gate, building of a sandpit and overall paintwork. Oasis School which educates children from disadvantaged homes will receive a donation of garden tools and crockery, as well as having some fun with the Shoprite staff whilst painting T-shirts on the day. A safe house for abused children, Youth Outreach - Indawo Yo Lutsha, has their playrooms and library upgraded as well as receiving chocolates and treats for the day. The Attie van Wyk Primary School has been identified for upgrading facilities, including the installation of a new gas stove, and improvements to the playroom and library. The Lucky Lucy foundation that cares and rehabilitates abused and neglected animals receives a R5000 donation towards new supplies for their barn. People from the Herberg Old Age Home receive special gift packs from a team visiting them on the day, whilst residents of the Kraaifontein Community Centre for the Aged and Disabled receive assistance in the form of renovations, appliance donations and entertainment by staff on the day. The FCS Project run by SAPS Kraaifontein, are the recipients of special packs to abuse and rape victims, and food and blankets to distribute within informal settlements and day hospitals. Care packs will be handed over to the Iris House Children’s Hospice, which assists in the enrichment of the lives of special needs children and young people with life-limiting or –threatening conditions. Parow Valley Preparatory School have a library area created, fitted with new shelves, books and a fresh coat of paint. At Huis Martina, an old age home will have residents being treated by Shoprite staff as they receive gift bags, a new carpet for their television room, and a special high tea event and entertainment on the day. The group is also donating R10000’s worth of shoes to Lotus FM’s Mandela Day project, which will be distributed to needy school children across KwaZulu-Natal.
The Shoprite Group’s fast food arm, Hungry Lion, are assisting the Tygerbear Foundation in creating a special “Princess for a day” event, through which they aim to inspire and enrich those affected by traumatic and abusive experiences.
Caring for the communities it operates in has always been a priority for the Shoprite Group. The Group appreciates the loyal support from the community and is continuously looking for ways in which to give something back to its customers. The Mandela Day projects provides the company with another unique opportunity to honour not only former president Nelson Mandela, but also to empower communities and extend a hand of hope to those in need.
Read more about Mandela Day on http://www.mandeladay.com/