Jenny Findlay, Trust Manager based at Emperors Palace, was recently awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award in recognition of the outstanding work she has done through the Trust for the Ekurhuleni community. The Trust offers full scholarships to young people from Ekurhuleni enabling them to attend a recognised tertiary institution and thereby become economically active.
“I am incredibly touched and humbled by this award and regard it as a win for everyone who plays a vital part in the Trust, including the trustees, my team, Peermont management and the community at large. Thank you all and I look forward to many more years of service to society,” comments Findlay.
The Paul Harris award is one of the highest honours bestowed by Rotary, and is given to Rotary members and community professionals in recognition of outstanding contributions for ‘service above self’ – an ideal that lives at the heart of Rotary. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Prince Charles, Indira Gandhi, Luciano Pavarotti, King Hussein of Jordan and Pope John Paul II.
In a letter to Findlay informing her of the milestone achievement, Derek Fox (President of the Boksburg Rotary Club) said, “For what you have done for those students in the Trust, few others would do. Now, I do accept that you have not done it alone and that you have a team, however, at the two awards evenings I have attended, you received standing ovations at both.”
Jenny has held the position of Trust Manager since 2001 and introduced a mentorship programme for the scholarship students. This programme provides vital support to help the students complete their qualifications, with the goal of pursuing successful, sustainable careers in their industry of choice. Over the years this has created a graduation rate of 85%. “I have been humbled by the young people I have had the great fortune to assist. Over the past 16 years we have produced 120 graduates and sponsored over 500 young people to pursue various courses, including trades and hospitality. I couldn’t be prouder,” Findlay concludes.
For more information on the Peermont Group and the work it does for surrounding communities, visit www.peermont.com. Connect with Peermont on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/peermont or follow @peermont on Twitter
