A warmer winter for Emmanuel Care Centre
Atlantis, Western Cape – Residents of the Emmanuel Care Centre for physically and mentally challenged individuals will not have to face the bitter cold unaided this winter, thanks to the generous donation of 12 wall heaters and 13 blankets by the Parow Plant of Peninsula Beverage Company (PenBev), the local bottler of The Coca-Cola Company’s products in the Western and Northern Cape.
PenBev have adopted the Emmanuel Care Centre in Atlantis as part of their “Live for a Difference Campaign”. The committee members of the PenBev Parow plant raised the funds to purchase the wall heaters and Waverley blankets for the centre and handed the items out to residents earlier this month, ensuring that everyone could keep warm this winter.
Emmanuel Care Centre Manager, Marie Petersen, was concerned by the looming winter months and the effect the cold would have on the centre’s occupants as the newly developed centre had no infrastructure in place yet to keep the residents warm. Residents of the centre range in age from 12 months to adulthood. “Many of the people at Emmanuel Day Care Centre stay with us their whole lives, until they pass on,” Petersen says, “The severity of their disabilities is of such a nature that they can never be placed out into other facilities.”
Petersen has compiled a wish list of items needed by the centre and was very grateful for PenBev’s contribution. “Compiling the list was a task of its own, as we need so much and yet we do not want to impose,” Petersen says.
Other items on the wish list include, a gas stove, computers, petrol weed eater and non-perishable foods to name but a few. Organisations in the area are encouraged to help the centre where possible this winter.
To get involved with Emmanuel Care Centre contact Marie Petersen on emmdaycare@telkomsa.net
For more information about the projects that PenBev are involved with visit www.penbev.co.za
Sea Point Rotary and Bonaqua bring joy to little ones
Little ones from the Ilitha Crèche in Khayelitsha and the Ruth First Crèche in Philippi could hardly contain their excitement when they visited the Rotary Club of Sea Point’s Blue Train Project last week.
Gavin Schachat, Director of Projects Sea Point Rotary, said, “We were delighted to host these children from disadvantaged backgrounds and to witness their joy when riding the train, jumping on the jumping castle and in some cases, seeing the sea for the first time!
“We are very grateful to Peninsula Beverages (PenBev) for their continued assistance with our projects and for sponsoring Bonaqua water to keep the children and teachers hydrated during their visit.” Schachat added.
The Rotary Club of Sea Point’s Blue Train Project has been bringing joy to communities through similar excursions since 2008.
For more information on the Sea Point Rotary and the community projects that they are involved with visit: www.seapointrotary.org.za
For more information on PenBev and the community projects that they are involved with, visit www.penbev.co.za or call 021 936 5500
RAIN Water for Schools
Homba Primary School, Khayelitsha
Learners from Homba Primary School in Khayelitsha can now enjoy cool water during a hot morning break between classes thanks to Coca-Cola South Africa’s legacy project entitled RAIN (Replenish Africa Initiative) Water for Schools. Homba Primary is one of a growing number of schools that has benefited from the RAIN Water for Schools project in South Africa. The Coca-Cola Company’s RAIN programme aims to improve access to clean water for 2 million Africans by 2015 through a $30 million investment in programmes such as the one in South Africa. Working together with the government, Coca-Cola South Africa is providing schools in disadvantaged areas across the country with basic water and sanitation infrastructure such as working toilets and urinals, taps with drinking water in and around the school area, drainage systems and new basins and taps. The infrastructure upgrades implemented in schools varies according to their individual needs as assessed by the Department of Basic Education.
“We started the RAIN Water for Schools project in 2010, with nine schools as our legacy project for the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” says Sammy Mohlaoli, Senior Manager, Community Affairs at Coca-Cola South Africa. “Since then we have identified a total of 100 schools in all nine provinces that are in dire need of basic water and sanitation.”
"Without running water there are many health risks that communities, especially learners, are faced with,” says Denise Green, Manager of Corporate Social Investment Projects at Peninsula Beverages (PenBev), the local bottler of The Coca-Cola Company’s products in the Western and Northern Cape. “We are glad to be associated with the RAIN Water for Schools Initiative and to have the opportunity of providing clean water and sanitation whilst educating learners about health, hygiene and the importance of saving water."
The Coca-Cola Company’s RAIN Water for Schools initiative is a three-year initiative that will be funded and implemented by The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation working with a number of co-finance and implementing partners that include the Global Environment and Technical Foundation, Re-Solve Consulting, the Mvula Trust and the South African Department of Education.
Patrick Katsha, Deputy Principal of Homba Primary School says, “We are incredibly grateful for Coca-Cola’s contribution to uplifting the standards of our school. Not only have some serious health hazards been averted, but our learners also are learning about the importance of basic hygiene whilst simultaneously becoming conscious of the importance of saving water.”
The 22nd of March is World Water Day. This year’s focus is specifically on water and food security. As part of the Homba Primary School RAIN Water for Schools project, rain water is collected by the school and used to water a vegetable garden which is maintained by women from the local community. The produce grown in this garden is sold, providing economic empowerment for these women.
For more information on PenBev and the community projects that they are involved with, visit www.penbev.co.za or call 021 936 5500
CSI/Community Affairs
Corporate Social Investment has a pivotal role to play in bringing about meaningful transformation to the benefit of all.
The social needs facing our country are substantial and it is our moral duty to make a difference by supporting projects that benefit historically disadvantaged sectors of our society. Our contribution to the upliftment of communities through the transfer of funding, skills and education with the aim of creating sustainability makes us proud.
Community Projects
We are committed to a wide range of programmes, which support the needs of these communities in which we do business. Some of the more recent initiatives are listed below:
Lord’s Acre Christian Community Centre
Lord’s Acre Christian Community Centre, a joint venture between PenBev, Rotary Newlands, FRANCO and the Lord’s Acre Mission was opened in May 2010, with the aim of providing support in the form of education, recreation and much-needed life skills and food to the local community of Franschhoek.
Activities include a soup kitchen, cooking, a crèche group, and a crèche management meeting facility, a computer area as well as musical instruments for band practice. A recent visit to the Lord’s Acre showed that it is truly a blessing for this community.
Koinonia Wellness Centre
In October 2010, a poor community in Kuilsriver celebrated the opening of a state-of-the-art community health clinic – Koinonia Wellness Centre – that is set to provide primary healthcare to many people. The Koinonia Wellness Centre will provide primary healthcare to the surrounding community offering home based care, a school nurse, medical services and skills development thanks to the passion of a local woman and a sponsorship partnership that has spanned decades.
The visionary behind the project, Mrs. Susan Lapoorta, believes that the centre will render a holistic community healthcare service that’s accessible to the people who need it most in the community and they are expecting to provide primary healthcare to hundreds of people each week since the nearest clinic is nearly 3km away.
Masakhane Grassroots Educare Centre – December 2010
The Masakhane Grassroots Educare Centre is situated in the Mbekweni Township outside Paarl. PenBev, Newlands Rotary and certain private individuals jointly sponsored this Centre. Graham Finlayson, the architect took great pride in transforming some containers into beautifully restored, lime green classrooms, which include a studio type roof and covered walkway. This is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also helps control the extreme temperatures.
The Centre now has 3 large classrooms, an admin area, kitchen and ablutions. The Centre started with 12 children as home-based care over 10 years ago and now offers facilities to over 240 toddlers, under the guidance of the Principal Joyce Mokapane. She is ecstatic with the new Centre.
The final assessment of repair work following the settling in period has been completed. The centre is in spotless condition and the children are obviously joyful and appreciating the “new” environment.
The jungle gym is fully utilised, as are the play toys and the school is in demand and the new buildings are at full capacity.
World Cup™ 2010 Community Initiatives
Learners from 18 Western Cape high schools won their share of the 20 000 FIFA World Cup™ tickets in a national schools recycling programme run by the Department of Education (DoE) and Coca-Cola in association with the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ Ticket Fund.
Fuelling Fire Fighters
Fire Fighters burn an enormous amount of energy trying to keep blazes at bay during the peak summer period. In a bid to refuel and increase energy levels, PenBev proudly sponsored energy-providing Powerade and Bonaqua water to the very appreciative City of Cape Town Fire Services. This initiative is ongoing.
Nompumelelo Creche
Children have moved into their new crèche premises. Thanks to the generosity and community involvement of Worcester Minerals. Worcester Minerals has been involved with Nompumelelo since 1992 and has shown their support by donating toy boxes, mattresses and blankets.
As one of the main businesses in the area, we consider it important that we are making a contribution to the community and are improving the quality of life for local residents.
Holy Cross Toy Drive
Coca-Cola South Africa and staff at PenBev brought smiles to the children of Holy Cross Children’s Home in Parow during December 2010. After staff collected and donated toys, we hosted a Christmas party where Santa and staff handed out these gifts.
The Holy Cross Home houses more than 115 children aged between 3 – 18 years from the Greater Western Cape Area. The children come from different backgrounds with some of them having been removed from situations of deprivation, abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and abandonment.
We are extremely proud of our involvement and staff generosity because there is no better way of spreading the Christmas spirit than making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate.
Masiphumelele Library Outreach Centre
After a successful opening on 2nd March 2010, the Masiphumelele Library Outreach Centre is actively used by the community. Bright coloured furnishings and artwork warm the centre to create a welcoming vibe. The centre now hosts daily and weekly activities, which include:
Computer, Xhosa and literacy classes, homework clubs and more, as well as providing valuable services such as faxing and photocopying, access to studying and reading material, computers and recreational activities.
Zanempilo – August 2010
Children from Browns Farm community in Phillipi are now the proud recipients of the Coca-Cola South Africa donation of a much-needed Edutainer, school uniforms and garden equipment for a food project. Pre-school children will use the Edutainer, a 12m x 6m shipping container that has been beautifully converted to a classroom and nearly forty orphaned and vulnerable children received uniforms. Zanempilo is a non-governmental organisation on (NGO) that delivers comprehensive, holistic primary health care services to disadvantaged communities and works in partnership with the Department of Health to deliver quality home based care in Phillipi and Khayelitsha.
Community Chest
PenBev has a long-standing association with Community Chest, spanning 15 years and our involvement includes the donation of carbonated soft drinks, staging and lighting for events when needed as well as sign writing for the various events. Over the years we have proudly contributed to The Community Chest Carnival, which raises money for over 400 social welfare organisations that contribute to human care. Another huge involvement sees us sponsoring the refreshment for The Annual Twilight Run, which draws over 20 000 entrants.
Give as You Earn
Give-As-You-Earn (GAYE) or workplace giving provides PenBev employees with a simple way of making a meaningful contribution to their communities either by way of a direct dedication from their earnings, or by debit order.
In the last few years the Community Chest has raised some R600 000 per annum from employees in the workplace through Give-As-You-Earn and PenBev is extremely proud of their staff that have embraced this initiative
Deaf Community of Cape Town (DCCT)
“A community of deaf people who assist each other through self help”
Stephen Lombard, who himself is deaf, is an employee of PenBev and for the past 20 years has been seconded to the Deaf Community of Cape Town. Stephen is involved in various Public Relations programmes for the deaf community and also raises much needed fund for DCCT.
The DCCT has worked for more than 23 years and embarked on many project aimed at the development and empowerment of deaf people. Through Stephen, PenBev is able to make a positive contribution to the deaf communities in Cape Town.
Emannual Day Care Centre
Mandela Day on July 18 is an annual international day adopted by the United Nations. It is more than a celebration of Nelson Mandela’s life and legacy; it is a global movement to take his life’s work into a new century and change our world for the better. Mandela Day asks us all to embrace Madiba’s values and honour his legacy through an act of kindness. In celebration of Mandela Day, representatives from the Blackheath Distribution Centre visited Happy Valley Creché to play with the children. Delicious soup, kindly made by the Blackheath kitchen, was served to the children, together with
fresh rolls donated by shops in the area. Coca-Cola is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company © 2011 Staff spent 67 minutes on a small act of Community kindness that made a huge difference.
