Mandela’s legacy benefits iThemba Lethu

THE legacy of Madiba is alive and well in the community.

As a well known transition home for orphaned and abandoned children in the city, Nelson Mandela Day is the one day of the year when iThemba Lethu receives many enquiries from corporate companies and individuals who want to invest in the organisation’s work for their 67 minutes to build hope through serving in community.

“We have learned to be specific with our ‘needs list’ so philanthropic/CSI intentions marry with our objectives. It’s also important to stagger the visits ahead of 18 July so as not to overwhelm the children in our care. So we were overjoyed to have corporates invest in our work,” said Karen Brokensha.

The PPECB team brought groceries for the transition homes, RCL Food Group Services planted seedlings in the three veggie gardens, painted baby cots, swings and varnished the donations storeroom. Rentokil Initial did a deep clean of all the bathrooms, hygiene training to the staff, installed sanitizer units throughout the homes and administration office, planted hardy shrubs in the reception parking area, did DIY tasks and treated the staff to lunch.

“All the while DigitLab had invited our Programme Co-ordinator and three other NGOs to a workshop on how to help us improve our social communication strategies. In true Nelson Mandela spirit for education, our youth and parent workers in the HIV Prevention Team went and cleaned the local Mayville Library. The lead librarian Phendulani Madiya said she had never had anyone offer to help them. It always seems impossible until it is done!” said Karen.

Visit: www.ithembalethu.org.za