Konica Minolta employees share with Joburg's underprivileged kids

Konica Minolta South Africa donated both time and gifts to bring festive cheer to children in Muldersdrift's Noah community and the El-Shaddai Day Centre in the Diepsloot informal settlement at the end of 2012.

Employees shared their privileges with some of the most vulnerable orphans, when staff members bought Christmas gifts for almost 130 children, aged between two and six, who have either been infected or affected by HIV/AIDS, living within Muldersdrift's Noah community.

Noah is made up of 23 community-based organisations that provide support to approximately 6000 vulnerable children across KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

On an annual basis, Konica Minolta South Africa selects a community or children's home in need, through a Section 21 company, AAAKEE (Abused and Abandoned Kids Educational Excursions).

Intended to enrich lives

According to Odin Middleton, an AAAKEE associate member, the company provides educational excursions to various homes for children who have been abused, abandoned, or orphaned. "Whilst educational, these are also intended to enrich their lives with fun, entertainment, and excitement - a core value in the life of any child," he said.

Michael Anthony, head of communications at the organisation, added: "It has been wonderful to work with Konica Minolta South Africa on these projects - ensuring that we both meet our goals. We'd like to thank them for allowing us to form such a wonderful working relationship."

For the past three years, Konica Minolta South Africa employees have donated gifts to help ensure that Christmas is a special time for South Africa's orphans.

Books and painting materials

In addition, Konica Minolta South Africa partnered The Edu-Care Foundation also to provide Noah's orphans with books and painting materials.

The company continued its partnership with The Edu-Care Foundation when staff visited the babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers of the El-Shaddai Day Centre in the Diepsloot informal settlement.

Diepsloot's pre-school development project leader, Pattie Hanley, led the Edu-Care Foundation team, consisting of: founder, Daleen Havenga; office manager, Beverly Peters; driver, Michael Petersen; and Florida Police Station Sergeant, Marcel Coutuers - in donating a large, two-metre-tall Christmas tree to the day centre.

The day centre's toddlers also received a gift bag filled with goodies and an educational book, whilst the babies were spoilt with a Purity hamper and a cuddly teddy.