Avios sponsors Starfish Greathearts camps

The Avios-sponsored flights took the caregivers to Protea Hotel Karridene Beach south of Durban for a three-day conference that encouraged shared learnings and provided a general refresher on the important work they do.

The camp was aimed at supporting the selfless work they do on a daily basis and thanking them for their dedication to their non-profit organisations.

"I learned through this activity that teamwork is very important, because I can't solve a problem alone," says child and youth care worker Fikile Zitha, who attended the camp. "I've also learned to appreciate what I have because someone else is in a worse position than me. Working with kids who have been through the same situations as me helps me to heal while I help them. I'm taking back team work, letting love lead and leaving my past in the past as I believe this is a new beginning for me."

Orphaned children

The second camp made possible by Starfish and Avios was a leadership camp held in Cape Town from 1 to 5 March for seven guardians and 15 very excited passengers. All of the children chosen for the camp were from Ikageng, an organisation that cares for children orphaned or vulnerable. Various activities were held through the five day camp that enabled the youngsters to meet and discuss the issues they face and share their views about life.

"You cannot put a value on the experiences the Nokuphila caregivers and children of Ikageng have had thanks to the generous flight donations from Avios in South Africa," says Starfish CEO Belinda te Riele. "The caregivers enjoyed some precious time out returning to work feeling refreshed and inspired. And the children from Ikageng were treated to a wonderful break in the beautiful city of Cape Town."

Rewarding partnership

"Since the launch of the Avios Travel Rewards Programme in South Africa in August last year, Avios pledged to donate 200 free flights worth approximately R1.5m and hotel stays to people in need as part of their corporate responsibility programme, 'Flights for Good Causes'," says Avios South Africa GM Andries Zietsman.

Starfish Greathearts Foundation is one of many planned benefactors and to date the relationship between Avios and Starfish has been a richly rewarding one. "When we were looking for organisations to partner with, the Starfish Greathearts Foundation really stood out for the exceptional work they do and the great impact they have on the communities they reach out to," says Ellen Buckingham, head of Corporate Responsibility for Avios.