GALLERY: Giving back to the community
KYA SAND – The Caxton Joburg North West staff donated food to children at the Build the Future Foundation on 29 July.
In the spirit of Mandela Month, the Caxton Joburg North West branch in partnership with Devland Cash-and-Carry group, donated food to Build the Future Kids on 29 July.
The Build the Future Kids, a non-governmental organisation which is based in Kya Sand Informal Settlement, has been in existence for 13 months and caters to 47 children from the community.
According to deputy editor Mpume Nzimande, the idea of giving started small and it grew with help from the branch.
“It all started when journalists were swearing a lot in the newsroom. We thought we could actually fine those who were swearing R5. It started at the end of April and we raised about R250 by the end of June. Mark and I had promised to match the collected amount of the swearing fund. We both paid R250 each, from our pockets, ” said Nzimande.
Digital editor Mark Mansfield agreed and added they wanted to show how much they care for the community.
“After collecting the money, we asked other journalists and group editor Sammi-Jo Botha, to add to the donation and we made R1000,” Mansfield explained.
He added that they approached Chris Halstead, the branch manager, and he donated R2 000 more.
“We received a Mandela Day wish-list from Build the Future Kids organisation, and we decided that we would like to donate food so that the little ones can be fed,” he said.
Sales manager Daleen Swanepoel contacted Devland Cash-and-Carry Group’s Reuben Rawasha for further donation, and he gave more food – rice, cooking oil, mealie meal and more.
“It is all about the community and giving back to the community – because that is what we are about as a company,” Swanepoel said.
Rawasha added, “It is always important to be involved in communities. We should always aim to assist our communities.” He explained that they link up with charity organisations that aim to uplift the community.
Founder of Build the Future, Phillip Shapiro said, “It is very encouraging and exciting to partner with companies and the food will keep us going for a few months.”
When Shapiro first started the pre-school in Kya Sand, he saw a need. “The whole idea was to take kids off the streets to develop them, so I started a pre-school,” he said.
It started with six children and one teacher. Shapiro said he charged R50 for each child. “Since the pre-school took off, there has been incredible improvement in the children’s lives – they play, they get fed breakfast and lunch every day – and they also do a different curriculum every week,” Shapiro concluded.
Botha added, “Seeing how little these children are, have broken my heart, but I know that with people like Shapiro and corporates who give, it will make a change in the lives of these children and hopefully, break the cycle of poverty. I was so humbled by the work my team has done and I hope with the help of our partners we can continue giving back to our community.”
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