Upton Properties joins Habitat for Humanity project

"For many years, a portion of our sales commission has been allocated towards giving back," explains director Mark Upton. "Personally and professionally it's been a long-time desire to engage in a project that will make a difference in people's lives and provide a lasting change. We've been looking for just the right opportunity."

A proposal to donate both money and muscle-power to build a 40m² home in Pelican Park, an 80ha piece of land near Zeekoevlei, Grassy Park (the first Integrated Residential Development for the City of Cape Town, where families of different income levels will live together in one cohesive settlement) presented the perfect opportunity to give back.

Need for decent shelter

"During the week 5-9 October 2015, international non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity, celebrates Build Week - joining others around the globe to participate in special activities that highlight the need for safe, decent and affordable shelter for all," explains Upton. "So, along with a number of large corporates and their teams, we joined this special undertaking to help build the Pelican Park community."

Enlisting the help of staff and clients, the Upton team committed to tasks such as mixing cement, passing 14kg building blocks, erecting, plastering and bagging walls, placing door and window frames and regularly cleaning the site.

"It was an exercise in proper team work and I'm really so grateful to have had the opportunity to involve both my team and clients - doing something completely different from our usual everyday activities and working alongside the community to make a tangible difference in improving lives," says Upton.

Fighting poverty

Habitat for Humanity believe the provision of adequate and affordable shelter is the best way to fight poverty, partnering with home partners and stakeholders to build communities in which the members play leading roles in their own development and implement proven, practical and replicable best practice all over the country.

Through the vital work of the organisation and its volunteers, the lives of families are changed forever as they experience the pride and responsibility of home ownership, and children thrive as they live in secure, well-built homes.