Help Change Lives, One Pack of Toilet Paper at a Time #ToiletsChangeLives

Hi Friends,

South Africans can now help put a stop to the sanitation crisis simply by buying specially marked packs of Baby Soft® White 9s. Proceeds from each sale will be used by Kimberly-Clark, in partnership with Baby Soft® and WaterAid****, to construct toilets and handwashing facilities through the Toilets Change Lives programme. These will be built at several schools in Limpopo where, according to Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga, 932 schools have inadequate pit latrines for the children to use.

More people worldwide have access to a mobile phone than clean, safe toilets. In fact, one in three individuals is excluded from this basic human right*. With approximately 2.3 billion people not having access to basic sanitation facilities such as toilets or latrines – 892 million of whom are forced to relieve themselves in the open** – the devastating impact of this is the spread of disease and deaths that could have been prevented had they had access to proper sanitation***.

Through the Toilets Change Lives programme, Kimberly-Clark – in collaboration with NGOs such as WaterAid – is investing in programmes that build, repair and maintain toilet infrastructure in schools as well as teach communities safe hygiene practices and establish the local capacity to sustain these services. Toilets Change Lives is one of several projects currently being implemented by the Toilet Board Coalition, a group of leading companies including Kimberly-Clark, government agencies, sanitation experts and non-profit organizations that aim to develop commercially sustainable and scalable solutions that address the sanitation crisis.

John Clark, Marketing Director of Kimberly-Clark South Africa, says: “The inadequate pit latrines in many South African schools are unsafe, unsanitary and undignified. Poor sanitation can lead to diarrhea - the leading cause of children’s deaths under the age of five in our country. Furthermore, a recent report found that 630 million children globally do not have a decent toilet at school, affecting their education, especially for adolescent girls who often skip class during menstruation or drop out of school altogether if there are no decent toilet facilities.

“Improving access to clean water and decent toilets helps keep children healthy and in school. Our aim with this pilot project is to restore dignity and help children to thrive.”

Robert Kampala, WaterAid’s Regional Director for Southern Africa, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Kimberly-Clark on this project to improve sanitation for thousands of schoolchildren. Through this project, we hope to create a model for sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure, as well as behavior change in schools in South Africa, improving day to day life for many and showing how toilets can change lives.”

For more information on how you can help change lives, one pack of toilet paper at a time, visit https://www.facebook.com/BabySoftSA/

 

In India too this problem was taken care by the Prime Minister by making public awareness about the consequences and you shall an interesting take on the same in a Bollywood Movie named - Toilet - Ek Prem Katha. Do check it our on your favourite streaming channels.

* https://www.sustainability2022.com/en/our-stories/toilets-change-lives-global
** http://www.toiletboard.org
*** https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/global/sanitation/toilets.html
**** https://www.wateraid.org/uk/
***** https://data.unicef.org/resources/wash-in-schools/

 

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@UCookSA Supports Harvest of Hope @AbalimiHOH #Organic #FoodSecurity

Hi Guys, 

Online dinner kit delivery service UCOOK has a long-standing partnership with non-profit organisation Abalimi Bezekhaya, its preferred supplier of organic, quality produce. As of this month, UCOOK will be expanding on this partnership by contributing a portion of its gross profits to the organisation’s upskilling urban farming project, Harvest of Hope.

UCOOK’S permanent partnership with Abalimi Bezekhaya Harvest of Hope is set to re-invent the brand’s procurement strategy moving forward. The collaboration means UCOOK’S customers will receive an increasingly diverse array of organic vegetables, but the real value lies in the socio-economic impact of the affiliation.

Abalimi is an urban agriculture and environmental action association that strives to create employment, as well as conserve and reinvigorate the natural environment.

The organisation trains and sponsors residents in disadvantaged Cape Town neighbourhoods by teaching them to grow sustainable organic vegetables in order to feed themselves, their communities and most recently to supply the food industry.

“We’ve been using Abalimi for the better part of a year now,” says Chief of Operations, Menno Brouwer. “We have been exceptionally impressed with the quality of produce that we’ve received.”

To date, UCOOK’s involvement in the Abalimi’s Harvest of Hope project has been strictly commercial, but as of March 2017, the business will be donating a sizeable portion of its gross profit to the NGO. The funds allocated will go into further developing Abalimi’s permaculture projects, increasing the variety of vegetables farmed, hiring new people and creating new gardens for the presently unemployed to care for and nurture.

Co-founder of UCOOK, David Torr, believes it’s imperative that companies start giving back to the greater communities in which they exist. “Gone are the days of excess profiteering at the expense of others. The successful brands of tomorrow must open themselves up to this way of thinking, or risk being washed into obscurity by the wave of conscious consumers beginning to dominate the buying space at large.”

UCOOK is one of SA’s fastest growing e-food business. With nine new mouth-watering recipes to choose from each week and fresh, organic ingredients delivered to your door, evenings spent in the kitchen have never been easier or more inspiring.

To learn more, visit ucook.co.za and harvestofhope.org.za

 

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Safe-Hub #Diepsloot @TsogoSun @MonteCasinoZA AMANDLA EduFootball

Hi Guys, 

A Safe-Hub that will give approximately 2000 youngster from grades R to matric in Diepsloot north of Johannesburg regular access to a safe environment for facilitated sports, arts, life skills lessons, personal development, accredited training courses – and the opportunity for a better future – was officially launched on 3 February at Muzomuhle Primary School. 

The Diepsloot Safe-Hub was funded and built by AMANDLA EduFootball (AMANDLA) in collaboration with the Oliver Kahn Foundation and Tsogo Sun’s flagship entertainment destination, Montecasino, as part of its CSI activities. The implementation of the on-going programme will be delivered by AMANDLA through a funding partnership with Montecasino, representing an investment of close on R4 million over three years, together with other potential partners. This is the third Safe-Hub in South Africa and the first in Johannesburg. The other two are located in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu-Manenberg in the Western Cape.

AMANDLA is an international Non-Profit Organisation and owner of the internationally acclaimed Safe-Hub model, whose mission is to create safe spaces that bring together the power of football and learning to empower youth and change lives. The Safe-Hubs provide a comprehensive, integrated set of youth development services in collaboration with the local community, using football as the key driver of engagement and retention.

Each Safe-Hub acts as a multi-purpose community hub where people can access a range of education, health, accredited training and enterprise development services, providing a viable and attractive alternative for young people to get involved in positive activities. At Safe-Hubs young people are encouraged to explore their individuality, build a core set of values, and strengthen their ability to deal with the challenges they face in life. At AMANDLA’s two Safe-Hubs in Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, research shows that the programmes there have resulted in a reduction of 44% in crime and violence within the Safe-Hubs’ catchment areas and a 49% improvement in maths and English school results.

The new Safe-Hub in Diepsloot will offer a wide set of youth development activities, and will incorporate a range of existing programmes that Montecasino is already running in several schools in Diepsloot. These include athletics, chess and arts, all of which are designed as a platform for growth for young people.

Florian Zech, Founder of AMANDLA EduFootball, says, “Our experience and research tells us that we cannot achieve sustainable impact in marginalised communities without in-depth collaboration. We are delighted to have been able to partner with the Oliver Kahn Foundation and Tsogo Sun and Montecasino to bring the Safe-Hub to Diepsloot. The ability to bring together partners from all sectors allows us create lasting change among our youth and communities – and today marks the first exciting step on this journey.”

Says Montecasino GM, Glenn Joseph, “Diepsloot is on our doorstep, it is home to many of our staff members and is a focus area for many of our CSI initiatives. The safe-hub will provide a welcome and safe environment for positive development, fun, and stimulating activities for children and young people.” The easy accessibility of Diepsloot from Montecasino also provides Montecasino and Tsogo Sun head office staff members with opportunities to volunteer at the safe-hub, helping out with the range of activities on offer.

Muzomuhle Primary School was chosen as the ideal site for the Safe-Hub as Montecasino has been working with the school, offering various programmes, for more than four years. “The school governing body has always been positive and enthusiastic about our involvement – and they welcomed the opportunity to increase their contribution to the children of the community by providing the premises for the safe-hub. The school is also the biggest and oldest in Diepsloot, with more than 2 300 learners from grades R to 7, and it is in a central location, making it accessible to young people from all over Diepsloot,” says Joseph.

Substantial progress has already been made in the development of the Diepsloot Safe-Hub. Phase one, which comprised the football component, kicked off in December, while plans and preparations for phase two were finalised. Key appointments were made, including that of Thobekile Buthelezi as manager of the Diepsloot Safe-Hub, along with two members of the Diepsloot community who are being mentored to become facilitators to run the football and life skills activities.

Phase two, designed pro bono by South African architectural firm DHK will be completed during 2017, comprises a two-storey building on the school premises where the arts and sports life skills lessons, a youth café, a computer lab, and other personal development initiatives will take place. “We are already in discussion with other organisations and corporates about collaborations on programmes that will contribute to the development of the youth in Diepsloot,” says Joseph. For example, it is envisaged that the youth café will be a conduit for accredited training in the food & beverage sector, in skills such as cooking, waitering, and other possible job opportunities. Security company, Servest, has come on board and is providing security for the premises, and a major corporate is considering establishing a computer lab, with appropriate facilities and services for training.

“We are exceptionally excited about this opportunity to make a real difference in thousands of young lives – working with professional and committed partners, such as AMANDLA, who are as passionate as we are about providing a platform for children to gain skills, to grow, to learn, to adopt healthy values, and to be themselves and have fun,” he says. “We look forward to working with the Diepsloot community and seeing this safe-hub have a real impact on it, providing tangible opportunities for brighter futures for many youngsters.”

Tsogo Sun’s portfolio includes over 90 hotels and 14 casino and entertainment destinations throughout South Africa, Africa, the Seychelles and Abu Dhabi. For further information, visit tsogosun.com, follow on Twitter and Instagram @TsogoSun or like on Facebook/TsogoSun.

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SADAG - Making Mental Health Matter - 20 years Anniversary Dinner

Hi Guys,

Some organization starts with the determination of a single person and brings a lot of hope and happiness in the lives of many.The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) is also one of such organizations bringing change in the lives of many. Crisis Line number is 0800567567

SADAG has Crisis Centres, School Programmes and Rural Outreach Projects.

The organization is celebrating their 20 years this year as it was setup in 1994 by Zane Wilson. It was her efforts to help others after suffering from acute panic and anxiety herself. It's a problem that is faced by anyone and everyone no matter who you are. Recently we have seen many big hollywood filmstars and singers die of depression. They had all the money and luxuries of the world but still they chose death as the last venue so it's always relationships or someone to speak to that matters most. We all crave for appreciation, care and love throughout our lives.

They celebrated their 20 years Anniversary Dinner by auctioning some of the great art work, jewellery, books and other deals at Metro Restaurant, Benmore, Johannesburg.

Here is Aki Anastasiou who was the MC for the evening along with Auctioneer too.

Zane Wilson was given standing ovation for all her efforts for the last 20 years to bring this organization so far and to help thousands of families all around Africa and other countries. Kindly donate or become a volunteer for this organization at www.sadag.org Follow them on twitter or facebook.

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