Anglo's funding assists the homeless

On average, MES reaches about 4,800 people per year across all its branches.

Sustained funding from Anglo American's corporate social investment (CSI) arm, the Chairman's Fund, towards MES is making a real difference to the socio-economic development of homeless and unemployed people in South Africa's inner cities. Since 2010, the Chairman's Fund has provided R2 million towards the core costs of MES. This funding has been a contribution towards MES's core work in skills development, job placement, and residential care.

The funding has also supported the strengthening monitoring and evaluation systems of the organisation. This funding has enabled MES's core objectives of providing professional services to vulnerable or at risk individuals, families and communities, by empowering them through a holistic service model to live independent, sustainable and meaningful lives. As a result, in 2012, MES was able to secure 735 part-time and 230 full-time jobs for the people it provides services to, train and assist 856 people in securing employment, and provide 466 people with social service support.

Valuable advice from the fund

MES national manager, Leona Pienaar notes that the Chairman's Fund's support has added unique value to the organisation. "MES's relationship with Anglo American is not merely about funding, but also revolves around partnership, as the Chairman's Fund has offered us valuable advice surrounding challenges we have experienced, and shared ideas regarding best practice. The balanced collaboration and assistance we have received from the Fund has proved crucial in helping our organisation to fulfil key objectives, and strengthen our capacity so that management can better oversee the implementation of our daily affairs."

Chairman's Fund chairperson, Norman Mbazima, concludes that the fund's support of MES is founded on the two organisations' similar philosophies. "The Chairman's Fund constantly strives to make a tangible difference in uplifting disempowered people in South African society, by partnering with organisations that have the proven means to effect on the ground change. We are therefore pleased to have been able to provide consistent support to MES, and aided their best practice model of transforming the lives of inner city people."