Millions raised to fight abuse
The Vital Foundation was established to join the fight against woman and child abuse and has received massive public support.
THE impact of woman and child abuse on social wellbeing and the economy is staggering, and in a study conducted three years ago by the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the average cost of each domestic violence incident was R4864,64 compared with an average monthly income of R3393,28 resulting in a household deficit of R1471,36.
The Vital Foundation has achieved a target of raising in excess of R3,9 million, largely because of the overwhelming support they have received from the public following the initial R1 makes a difference campaign in August last year. It is funded entirely by consumers of Vital supplements – for every Vital supplement pack sold, R1 is donated to the Vital Foundation.
With the rate of domestic violence in South Africa being among the highest in the world, resulting in a workforce shaken by chronic fatigue, PTSD, depression, sexually transmitted infections, loss of confidence as well as anxiety and stress, aside from soaring medical costs and a drain on public health system, the Vital Foundation opens for funding biannually and pays out on a monthly basis to registered organisations focusing on issues related to protection, prosecution and prevention of abuse woman and child abuse.
Organisations have benefitted from the first cycle of funding applications received nationally, including Justice and Women in KwaZulu-Natal.
Criteria for funding include that the organisation must be in existence for six months or longer, that the organisation should be a formal, registered entity such as an NGO, NPO or similar not-for-profit organisation, that funding will be for work directly linked to fighting women and child abuse such as prevention, protection and prosecution activities, and that organisations should be willing to report on their activities and financial expenditure of the funding granted.
Organisations are encouraged to apply online by visiting www.vitalfoundation.co.za
Between 11 August and 25 November, the Vital Awards campaign is calling on South Africans to nominate an organisation fighting abuse to receive a monthly donation. The winning organisation will receive R35 000 and the winning nominator a Samsung prize.
This campaign will run from August being women’s month to December with the last nominations submitted in November. www.vitalfoundation.co.za/award
