More than 30 South African companies, including telecoms giants Telkom and Vodacom, are taking part in the national Employee Volunteer Week, organised by Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA).
The campaign, which is in its third year and takes place from 5 to 11 March, has mobilised over 5 000 volunteers to support more than 100 community projects nationwide, says CAFSA CEO Nancy Ncube.
The focus of Employee Volunteer Week is skills transfer, with corporate employees sharing their knowledge and talent with employees from charitable projects that cover a wide spectrum of sectors, Ncube says.
Projects being undertaken this year include painting and renovating homes for children and the elderly, training HIV/AIDS clinic workers, the planting and maintenance of food gardens, making learners environmentally aware and distributing clothing and food.
Ncube notes that corporates in SA have traditionally supported non-profit and community groups with money, but now there is a real need for them to share their time and skills as well.
"The only way we can transform the country is if knowledge and information is shared between those who have the skills and those who do not."
Planned activities
Telkom Foundation CEO Nkhetheleng Vokwana says volunteer activities this year will include the refurbishment of Matsheka Primary School, in Hammanskraal, cleaning the House of Resurrection, in the Eastern Cape, and painting the dormitories at The Amazing Grace Children's Home, in Gauteng.
Employees will also participate in sport activities, as well as teaching mathematics and science at the New Horizons School, in the Free State, and the Sethani project community, in KwaZulu-Natal, Vokwana says.
Vodacom says its planned activities will take place throughout Gauteng, across the Northern Borders, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Vodacom's initiative is set to benefit approximately 662 children, 100 teachers, parents, cr`eche managers and staff, as well as 140 dogs and 50 cats, says chief communications officer Dot Field.
Beneficiary organisations include Together Action Group (TAG), Project Noah, the Wet Nose Animal Rescue Centre, Mother of Peace Home and Waterwise.
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