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Cape Media Corporation Did It on Do It DayCape Media Corporation was one of the many companies that literally rolled up its sleeves and got its hands dirty on 18 September 2009 for the National Do It Day volunteerism campaign initiated by the Greater Good SA (GGSA) organisation.
Established in 2004, GGSA aims to bring an end to poverty by seeking opportunities and looking for meaningful and innovative ways that will have a life-changing impact on people and the communities in which they live.
Because many of the larger charities and organisations have access to funding, GGSA tries to level the playing field by affording the smaller, less recognised charities and organisations a chance to really make a significant impact on the lives of those they support.
GGSA's vision is for its work with organisations and corporates to culminate in seeing South Africa as a strong nation with interconnected communities thriving and for individual empowerment and for the well-being of all the communities in which we live.
On Do It Day, Cape Media Corporation volunteered its time, effort, funding and support to the Heaven's Nest home in Ottery, Cape Town.
The home's motto is: "A child in need, is our child indeed" and is run by a team of dedicated women who started the home in 2004 through the St. Francis Church in Strandfontein.
The house itself was donated by the homeowner and at any one time holds 14 children between the ages of six months and eight years old. Each of these children has come from homes of various levels of neglect and abuse – some are HIV/Aids orphans.
Each child receives a government grant of R13 a day, which is clearly insufficient with regards to the nurturing, care, support, education, clothing and food they all require on a daily basis.
Cape Media arrived early in the morning to get down to work on creating a vegetable garden. While some dug, mowed, clipped, raked, planted, watered and cleaned, others scraped paint off the pillars at the front of the home. Inside the home, various items were repaired or installed, including cabinets, shower doors, wall heaters, electrical wiring and many other needs were seen to during our visit to the home.
We and the home were very blessed to have the support from various sponsors: Hart's Nursery down the road donated seeds, tools, nutrients for the soil, seedling plants and vegetables. Wimpy in Rondebosch donated balloons and Happy Men drinking cups for the little ones, which added a special touch to the lucky bags Cape Media put together for them. Pick n Pay in Plumstead donated 100 hotdog rolls and 100 pieces of boerewors for the day, which also ensured that the children would be fed for a few days after we had all long gone.
A great thank-you should go out to Brad Ruiters, a consultant for NHC Securities, who donated an entire electrical fencing system for the perimeter of the home to ensure the safety of all the children and the women who look after them.
Another huge contributor was DC Metalworks, which made a significant contribution and provided staff to fix the main gate – replacing the lock and fixing the alignment for it to run smoothly.
While Cape Media contributed the maintenance repair implements, the paint, varnish and many other items to the good cause of looking after and maintaining the home, none of this would have made any difference had it not been for everyone who was physically involved in giving back to Heaven's Nest.
Cape Media as a company was greatly influenced and touched by the way in which these children, who come from bad situations, were willing to assist with the various projects around the home at the time.
It seems that Cape Media not only made a significant difference to those at Heaven's Nest, but everyone came away feeling good about themselves, as a team and as a company that really cares about the future of children in South Africa.
