Accenture, a global management consulting company, has repaired and refurbished three orphanages, The Emdeni Campus in Soweto, the ThembaCare in Athlone, Cape Town, and the Abraham Kriel Home in Langlaagte, as part of its corporate social investment programme.
About 1 000 Accenture employees participated in the refurbishment of the homes. The company decided to expand its commitment to local communities through a project named "Great People. Great Place. Great Heart", said Charles Webster, Accenture media relations manager.
"The children were treated to a day of fun at Gold Reef City and the Aquarium in Cape Town. They returned to their homes, which had a new coat of paint on the walls, a garden with new vegetable patches to provide nourishment, new bedding, and repairs were made to door handles, cupboards, window frames and bathrooms. There are also new pot plants donated to the centres," he said.
The Emdeni Campus is home to 60 children, cared for in three house units by childcare workers operating in shifts. The Abraham Kriel Home cares for 220 children in 17 house units and 60 children in six satellite homes.
The children of ThembaCare are admitted to the centre by means of outreach projects designed to prepare them for life off the streets. It is the intention of the centre to return children to normal family life. Family assessments and parenting skills are provided to family groups, and children are reunited with their families after one to six months, depending on circumstances.
All children in the homes attend normal schools and are placed according to their ability, interest and language. Where possible, the children are afforded the opportunity to receive tertiary education.
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