Engen makes generous donation to assist Merewent Cheshire Home

THE Merewent Cheshire Home was grateful for a generous donation from Engen, who lent a helping hand by supporting the home with much-needed donations amid a funding crunch leading to many major challenges.

To help the home continue covering the basic needs of its vulnerable residents, the Community-Engen Joint Committee as a community service has donated a total R40 000 in contributions.

This includes a R10 000 fuel voucher, as well as medical equipment, a blood pressure monitor, blood glucose monitor, bath hoist and a medical trolley.

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The home provides residents with 24-hour care, nutritious meals, laundry and cleaning, access to a nurse and social worker, psychosocial support, specialised transport as required, social activities, sports and other forms of development and entertainment.

Engen’s head of transformation and stakeholder engagement, Dr James Xolani Nyawera, was joined by members of the Community-Engen Joint Committee at the official handover, which took place at the home on August 10.

“Community well-being and disability inclusion is one of Engen’s key social investment focus areas, giving the company the opportunity to contribute towards inclusive disability rights in South Africa,” said Nyawera.

Manager of Merewent Cheshire Home, Winnie Mkhize, thanked Engen for their support.

“We are grateful to Engen for their generous donation. The medical equipment and fuel donation will benefit our 45 residents who are from the surrounding areas of Wentworth, Merebank and Umlazi,” said Mkhize.

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Based in Austerville, the home was opened on June 1, 1994 and is one of 16 service centres in South Africa. It is also one of five centres in the greater eThekwini area, all of which are affiliated to Leonard Cheshire International in London.

As a longstanding and committed member of the south Durban community, Nyawera said Engen welcomes collaborations with the South Durban community to establish a healthy and sustainable relationship in the best interests of all parties.

“Engen continuously engages openly and transparently with a broad representation of south Durban community representatives through the Community-Engen Joint Committee to address matters of concern and to explore the co-creation of future opportunities.

“The open Community-Engen Joint Committee is Engen’s primary platform of engagement with the community, through which numerous community-led outreach initiatives aimed at uplifting and empowering the local community continue to be jointly and effectively spearheaded,” said Nyawera.

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