Akacia lends a helping hand to Maria's Home for Mandela Day

Akacia staff members spent two days cleaning, painting, tiling, repairing toilets, replacing windows, doors and carpets, as well as fixing and fitting cupboards and replacing ceilings; and donated new bed linen, pillows, blankets and food to the home.

The Mandela Day activities form part of the ongoing 'Akacia Cares' campaign for Akacia Healthcare under its CSI programme.

Honouring Madiba's legacy

"Nelson 'Madiba' Mandela made many sacrifices and has given so much of his life to us and indeed the whole world, and it is now our responsibility to continue to give and share in order to make a difference in our communities," says Yaseen Bhayat, chief executive officer of Akacia Healthcare.

Maria's Home was started in 1994 by Maria Gaba, or "Mama Maria", as she is fondly referred to by the children and the people of Windmill Park, with the aim of providing a safe haven for the abused, the abandoned and those infected with HIV. The orphanage is currently home to 32 people ranging in age from 2-28 years. Maria, who at the age of six suffered abuse at the hands of her own father, works together with police and social workers to protect these children from further abuse and the ills of society.

"As a child I was never hugged and it has haunted me throughout my life, so in our home we try and instil a sense of belonging to a family unit through caring, sharing and developing self worth. My dream is for the children to be educated, not to be hungry and to live in a stable, loving and safe environment where children can be children and have the opportunity to reach their full potential," says Gaba.

"For 14 years we struggled, sometimes only eating once a day. During what seemed to be a lost cause, I have been given hope as we are blessed with donations of food and people willing to volunteer their time to make Maria's Home a better place," continues Gaba.

Helping society's most vulnerable

One of the orphans, Siybusiso, who lives in Maria's Home celebrated his sixth birthday on Mandela Day and was surprised by Akacia staff with a special birthday cake.

Akacia staff also made lunch and dinner for all the residents on the day as well as leaving their grocery cupboards well stocked with nutritional, wholesome food and fresh fruit and vegetables.

Bhayat goes on to say, "The Akacia team is proud to be associated with Maria's Home and applaud Maria for her dedication, commitment and the sterling work that she has done and continues to do in the community of Windmill and the surrounding informal settlement. She is providing shelter, food and education to the most vulnerable of our society - our children. Maria makes every day of her life a Mandela Day!"

Akacia Healthcare strives to provide consumers with quality, effective, and affordable healthcare products and actively seeks opportunities to put 'Akacia Cares' into practice.

For more information, go to www.akaciahealthcare.com.