IntoAfrica supports Water4Cape
“Our client is a champion for Sustainability and asked us to ensure that their Conference would not put further strain on Cape Town’s limited water resources.” – Alex Wrottesley
“As they were working with the likes of Tsogo Sun and the CTICC they were half way there already!” With both Companies taking substantial steps towards water sustainability, including de-salination, the use of grey-water, havesting of rainwater for cleaning purposes and the adaptation of taps to reduce consumption.
Into Africa enlisted the help of NPC Water4Cape Town to find the right solution to enhance the client’s request to reduce the impact. Paulette van Heerden of Water4Cape Town says “We don’t want visitors to stay away because of our water crisis, we want them to come and be part of the solution!” The idea of a Water Off Set was born. Companies and individuals that visit Cape Town are encouraged to either get involved or to assist Organisations that are working in this area.In particular Water4Cape Town has identified the need to support the 400 Micro-Farms that grow vegetables in informal settlements. Rain tanks have been installed and where necessary non-potable water has been supplied to keep the farms going through the worst of the drought. The R150k contribution made by this international corporate will leave a lasting water legacy for Cape Town. “For me this is a Symbol of the Cyril Ramaphosa’s ‘Send me!’ attitude with this international partner becoming part of the solution.” Paulette van Heerden
Planting trees, decorating classrooms, painting walls for Baphumelele
We were asked to identify a suitable CSR project in Cape Town by a leading international pharmaceutical company. The top executives of the company, accompanied by their partners, met in Cape Town early in 2012. They requested a project which would both be a worthy recipient of various donations including hands on labour and commitment from the executives and their partners.
Baphumelele is run by an incredible lady called Rosie. She has been helping street children in Khayelitsha for over 20 years. Bampumelele is a registered orphanage taking care of 106 orphans and approximately another 100 community children through their day care centre. Assistance was needed to uplift the environment in which these children spend their days. Various building, decorating and tree planting needs were identified. The preparation work was carried out by a local Khayetisha builder through the funding of the pharmaceutical company. The executives and their partners were able to plant trees, decorate classrooms, paint walls and build cupboards in what, for them, proved to be a most fulfilling day. Importantly they were also able to meet with Rosie and the children – hugely deserving recipients of this generous CSR project. Unfortunately there is no shortage of CSR projects to invest in, in Africa. CSR Projects have, however, proved time and again to be an incredible, moving experience for participants attending conferences and incentives programmes. Reaching out to communities in need is very rewarding.
It is important to identify the right projects for both the donor company and the communities -. projects which have longevity and improve the lives of all concerned. Identifying and facilitating such projects is an important aspect of who we are and what we do at Into Africa.
Borehole in Kenya
One of our incentive groups chose to raise money for the community they visited in the Masaai Mara. The $50 000, some of which they contributed themselves, was used to build a bore-hole. Access to clean water has had a massive impact on the community, especially the children who no longer have to walk for hours each day to collect water. Their health has also improved dramatically and the local school is now doing so well they are planning a boarding school to further support the children.