Vodacom lends a hand to St Clement's Home Based Care Project

Image credit: Josh Reid

The project, which renders a supportive service to people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as orphaned and vulnerable children in and around the area, was given a huge boost just a few weeks before Christmas.

During December 2013, Vodacom donated 1200 food hampers. Of these, staff distributed 900 hampers to the beneficiaries of St Clement's, and the rest was spread by the home, to those beneficiaries who were not present on that day.

The project was initiated in 2001, when the Parish Priest of the St Clement's Catholic Church, the late Rev. Fr. Michael Sibeko, observed that there were no support systems in place for people living with HIV/Aids in a community that were amongst the poorest of the poor, where unemployment was rife, and more than half the deaths were Aids-related.

Vodacom's involvement began earlier this year when they identified the St Clements Home Based Project as part of its Mandela Day initiative. Mandela Day is celebrated each year on Nelson Mandela's birthday, July 18, by giving back to worthy causes through volunteering and community service for at least 67 minutes on that day.

Vodacom staff handed out an initial 1200 food hampers to the people at the project.

Building and maintaining a working relationship

After the Mandela Day initiative, Vodacom identified a dire need in the community, for these food hampers and has now made a concerted effort to build and maintain a working relationship with the people of the organisation and the surrounding community.

"Generous gifts from donors like you provide moral support needed to continue with our mission," said Zanele Mvune, a fundraiser for the St Clement's Home Based Care Project, in a letter of gratitude to Vodacom. "With your faithful contribution you've demonstrated your deep commitment to our work of feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and assisting the orphans."

Vodacom has further extended its charitable reach by handing out 600 food hampers at the 1000 Hills Community Helpers in Inchanga. This was another organisation committed to alleviating the suffering of the elderly and children in distress, as a result of HIV/Aids.

"We at Vodacom are committed to local community projects, especially those involved in uplifting and empowering the less fortunate," Alberts Breed, managing executive for Vodacom KZN, said.

He added that whilst organisations like the St Clements Home Based Project and 1000 Hills Community Helpers allow Vodacom staff to be empathetic, it also provides an opportunity for them to contribute meaningfully towards a good cause.

"Making an invaluable impact on other peoples' lives, is a very gratifying feeling," Breed concluded.