We have started a project at work for Mandela Day that I’m quite excited about and our department chose 3 charities to support:
1. House of Thembiso in Kraaifontein is a house for abandoned babies, something I’m personally very passionate about. They get a grant from the Government of R13 per container of milk which is quite ridiculous as I see a large tin of S26 Gold is now in the region of R200.
They use Lactogen, so if you know of anyone that works for Nestle that could give it them at cost or you feel like dropping off a tin of formula or anything else you know babies need, please contact Sonja on 021 981 5261. They would love the support.
If you want to physically get involved, they also have a volunteer roster that they could add you on.
2. We are also doing some work with the Lucky Lucy Foundation, an NGO that takes care of all kinds of abandoned animals, re-conditions them and re-homes them. They also do extensive work within disadvantaged communities, they educate people about caring for animals, arrange for free sterilization of animals and even hand out food parcels. They always need dog food or any groceries that they can pass on. They also support a child feeding scheme, so even if you have a bottle of peanut butter that would come in handy. They are based in Joostenberg, you will find their contact details on their website.
3. The last organization we support is Shiloh Children’s Home in Kraaifontein. They take care of 10 children at the moment and are always in need of assistance.
As lovely as the initiative is, there are SO many places that need help on an ongoing basis and they have to fight for funds and supplies and assistance on a daily basis. We ALL have things in our cupboards and playrooms and grocery cupboards and linen cupboards we don’t use, why not take those things out and donate them to someone? If you want a list of places I’m sure I can get one together. Otherwise, if you are in the Cape Town area and you want to donate to any of these places before Mandela Day via me, please comment and I will get in touch with you. I have a whole room that I’m trying to fill up at our offices.
I have always said that I want our kids to be involved with some community service from a young age as I think it is a great lesson in humility and being grateful for what you have. But I need to get my A into G and just do it long-term.
What are your plans for Mandela Day?
Are you involved in any type of community work?
PS: Etienne was very nervous about sending me out to Thembiso and Lucky Lucy, but I can report that I didn’t arrive home with a new dog, cat, pig, rabbit, goat or baby. Not for lack of trying of course.
PPS: I thought the babies would be hard, the animals were harder for me. They had a beautiful boxer girl there that someone had starved to within an inch of her life. There are some mighty sick fuckers out there if you listen to the stories of the animal abuse they have seen.