BEING able to inspire others and bring about meaningful change in other peoples’ lives is something Durban North resident, Jodie-Lee Donnison, is passionate about. The 23-year-old has always been involved in charity work as early as her school days and recently realised one of her dreams by forming her first NPO, The Intergration Foundation. The foundation strives to implement various projects through already established NPOs in poverty-stricken areas of South Africa. Donnison, alongside Sandy Chowles and Lauren Tarr founded the NPO and work together with Likhon iThemba.
Northglen News recently caught up with the former Danville Park Girls’ High School pupil to find out where it all started.
“I can’t explain why but I’ve always loved doing charity work. My mom was the inspiration behind me taking the path I have. She’d always help out, wherever there was a need, she was involved. At school I was involved in some charity work, but not as much as I am now. The dream though was to one day start an NPO and become a teacher helping out in rural areas.
“I also developed a passion for helping out young children. Children are so innocent, they forgive so easily. There’s no words to express the joy you see in a child’s face when you help out. The simplest gift can change their world,” she explained.
One of the Intergration’s first projects is Integrate baby wraps, which aims to promote physical and mental development for babies as well as make life easier for a mother with little resources.
“Medical professionals agree that infants thrive through touch. When a baby is in a wrap, they are in tune with the rhythm of the mother’s breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes. The stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses. Babies also need skin on skin contact for the first two weeks of their lives. It has been proven to strengthen their immune system. Through the wraps project we will be able to rally volunteers to swaddle the babies and have them snuggle close to their mother’s heartbeat,” she said.
Knowing Jodie-Lee Donnison
Name five words that best describe you: “I would say compassionate, indecisive, generous, loud and a day dreamer.
What do you think about when you’re alone in your car? “I spend at least 50 per cent of my day in my car so you can just imagine how much thinking I get done in a day. I still think everyday what I really want to be when I grow up. I am also obsessed with beautiful kitchens (weird!) But I have designed loads in my head! If I’m not thinking, I’m singing. Always,”
What makes you angry? “I get really mad when people click their fingers at waitresses. I also get so angry when I hear people speaking down to others.”
Name one thing we don’t know about you: “I’m a very open person so I don’t keep too much to myself, but I do have fake teeth from a sporting injury a few years ago.”
What is your strongest family memory? “Christmas time. It’s my favourite time with my family and I will never miss a Christmas with my parents and my brother again. I remember one Christmas eve my brother and I were adamant that we heard father Christmas and got up to look for him. He wasn’t there.”
Community Heroes
Dale’s daring plan for change (Hero 13)
Tracey’s pawsporous mission (Hero 12)
Farrah’s endless love for furry friends (Hero 11)
Gordon is ‘udderly’ incredible (Hero 10)
Rising from the ashes with hope and love (Hero 9)
You don’t have to face the tragedy solo (Hero 8)
An advocate of the counter narrative (Hero 7)
Alison’s altruism shines through (Hero 6)
Bonni’s brave adventure brings hope (Hero 5)
Carol van Tonder: A lady for any Crisis (Hero 4)
Jason Ssserves the community (Hero 3)
Tyron’s aim is community safety (Hero 2)
Gary lives for his true calling (Hero 1)
