Abland Foundation plants seeds for the future on Mandela Day Published: 26 July 2013 According to the official Mandela Day website, the predominant aim of Mandela Day is to inspire individuals to take action to help change the world for the better, to build a global movement for good. The ultimate goal is to empower communities everywhere. “Take Action; Inspire Change; Make Every Day a Mandela Day.” Abland Foundation plants seeds for the future on Mandela Day Individuals and organisations are free to participate in Mandela Day as they wish, but participants are urged to adhere to the ethical framework of “service to one’s fellow human”. The Abland Foundation took this message to heart and celebrated Mandela Day on Thursday, 18 July by planting trees, flowers and a vegetable garden at one of its CSI benefactors, the Genesis Crèche in Diepsloot. A soccer field was laid on the premises to keep the youngsters living in Diepsloot off of the streets, and the goal posts and jungle gyms were given a fresh coat of paint. Although the Abland Foundation has had various CSI projects in the past, they chose to focus on one project to enable the Foundation to make a real impact. Through contacts at the Lonehill Village Church, the Foundation was introduced to the Genesis Crèche and felt that this was where a noticeable impact could be made in the lives of South Africa’s children. When the Foundation began its involvement at the crèche, there were nine children in attendance and it was operating from a tent that would often get blown down in heavy winds and flooded during rain. The crèche now cares for 65 children in two fitted containers provided by the Abland Foundation. A play area was created between the two containers, which was paved and a roof constructed over it. As the crèche has grown, the Foundation has continued to improve on the infrastructure, constructing a community centre. Bathroom and kitchen facilities have also been added to the back of the community centre. The children have blossomed within the now safe environment of the crèche, with reports from the community confirming a marked positive change in the children’s behaviour. Twice a year the Abland Foundation treats the children to an outing, which has become a highlight in their otherwise poverty stricken lives. In the past the outings have included trips to Yeesh, Barnyard Kids in Midrand, a rugby game at Loftus and the Johannesburg Zoo. Over the Easter and Christmas period, Abland staff members donate gifts for the children and in winter blanket and clothing drives are embarked upon. As a result of its involvement with the crèche, the Abland Foundation was introduced to the Impilo Foster Home for AIDS orphans. In 2007 there were approximately 1.2 million AIDS orphans in South Africa, with about 250 000 of these living in abject poverty in Gauteng. It is estimated that there will be 1.9 million orphans by 2015. The Foundation felt it imperative to help these helpless children and create a better future for them. The Abland Foundation hosts an annual Golf Day as well as a Potjiekos Competition in order to raise funds for Genesis Crèche and Impilo Foster Homes, while raising awareness for the plight of these children. Through the funds raised at these events, the Foundation plans to further improve the crèche and build around 20 foster homes a year, as well as Churches, community centres and ancillary buildings. Its vision is that these foster homes will be sustainable, community based and house a maximum of eight children per home. publicityupdate.co.za/#IDStory=55340
Posted on: Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:16:20 +0000
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