Mogau Day and Night Care Centre gets a brand new home

Children of Diepsloot received help of a different kind, as Engen Service Station owners came together to aid many who are hungry and who live below the breadline.

Engen in collaboration with a non-profit organisation, Jam South Africa, saw 31 Engen franchisees pledge to support the organisation’s Nutritional Feeding Programme for the second year running.

The initiative not only supported the Nutritional Feeding Programme but also joined together to fund the rebuilding of Mogau Day and Night Care Centre.

Engen franchisees and Jam handed over the newly refurbished centre to its thrilled staff members, teachers and children at the official launch party on 8 March.

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Jam is a South African-founded international humanitarian development organisation. In existence for more than three decades, Jam has provided more than R1.64 billion worth of meals to over a million beneficiaries across Africa.

“Rather than renovate the existing building, which was structurally unsound and run down, a decision was taken to demolish and rebuild. The franchisees approached Container Conversations who kindly agreed to donate three containers, which have been fully revamped and transformed into a brand-new centre, inclusive of classrooms, new toilets, a play area, a fully kitted kitchen, as well as teaching and educational toys,” Engen’s corporate social investment manager, Mntu Nduvane said.

Funding raised by the 31 dealers was matched by Engen as part of the company’s Engen Dealer Community Partnership Programme (DCPP).

This eventually totalled R306 000 and covered the rebuild as well as the nutritional feeding of 90 children this year, each of whom will be provided with a 50g portion of highly nutritious porridge served in a Jam Red Bowl every school day.

Managing director of Jam South Africa, David Brown said there are four steps involved in their approach. “Our primary focus is to provide nutrition for children between the ages of six months and six years in informal settlements. We then focus on infrastructure improvements through our Makeover Programme, Early Childhood Centre Development (ECD) education for caregivers and community involvement in support of ECD,” he said.

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The charity committee said that working with Jam had been a humbling and uplifting process. “This is our second year working with them. We revamped the Needy Kids Day Centre last year in the same area and this year together with Jam we have built a brand-new home for the children of Mogau where they can learn and grow in a safe and positive environment.”

Nduvane further said that Engen fully encouraged and supported its franchisees becoming involved and engaging with their local communities.

“Our franchisees got involved in the centre’s transformation helping with some of the painting and adding the final touches. We welcome this generous show of community support and social upliftment by them,” Nduvane said.

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