South Africa’s top CEOs raised over R26 million for Boys and Girls Town (GBT) and they have big plans to develop their pupils.
The money was raised through the 702 Sun International CEO SleepOut. The CEOs spent one of the coldest nights of last year on the streets of Johannesburg to raise funds and identify with homeless children.
“I’m sore, I’m tired and I haven’t slept,” said Peter Wharton-Hood, CEO of Deutsche Bank during the SleepOut. At the end of the day, the task was well worth it when funds GBT couldn’t even imagine were raked in.
“This is a moment in our history that we will never forget.
Through the one cold night, our children, those cared for by other similar organisations and those living on the streets – young and old – have become visible,” said Lee Loynes GBT CEO.
The 2016 Sun International CEO SleepOut is underway and Loynes explained the 2015 funds have been collected and audited which means GBT can announce their Legacy Projects which is a plan for how the money will be used. All the projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. The projects are in line with GBT’s SHINE goals and strategic approach; the acronym stands for Significance, Home, Independence, Nurture and Education.
With regards to the first letter of their acronym, significance, GBT will be setting up programmes to provide their pupils with off-campus therapeutic activities and holiday programmes.
For the H which stands for home, GBT wants to remodel the Gauteng-based GBT housing units – which includes Randfontein – to look less like dormitories and more like homes.
Regarding independence, GBT will put structures in place to offer life-skills, empowerment programmes and independence as pupils lack social skills to successfully integrate with the community.
GBT plans to nurture their pupils through community outreach which will provide pupils with opportunities to engage with the community interacting with the elderly, physically and mentally challenged people. They also will participate in animal rescue initiatives.
Last but not least, education. Because GBT pupils have missed out on proper schooling and their waiting list is rather long, structures to provide home schooling for young pupils in an effort to help them catch up with others their age.
GBT now also will be able to transport larger numbers of pupils and staff safely. This project has already been completed – two 23-seater buses and two 16-seater combis and three sedans have been deployed across Gauteng.
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