Challenging economic times naturally garner a knee-jerk reaction from the whosoever, regardless of their social or economic status. The COVID-19 pandemic has had both individuals and corporates alike tighten purse strings in proactive preparation for even tougher months ahead. Manufacturer of industrial tools and equipment, Atlas Copco pride themselves on a people first pillar and, have backed their foundational pillar with action particularly, during this lockdown period.
âOur core focus isnât purely designated to the people working within our organisation. This applies to people as a whole,â says Bongani Ndlovu, CSR Manager & Executive Assistant at Atlas Copco.
Here is a snapshot of a few key activities the organisation implemented during South Africaâs hard lockdown phase.
Oliverâs Haven
This July, Oliverâs Haven in Mayfield which caters to the elderly and children were gifted with care packs. The children at the Home were also provided with science and extra lessons given schools temporarily shutting its doors. âGiven the pandemic, the specific need to protect the elderly and the pressing need for sanitation and water, we thought it best to provide the most vulnerable residents at the Home with hygiene packs. These have ensured that the elderly has access to at least a face mask, soap and their own hand towel to keep sanitised and protected at all times.
Monetary donations to HCI and Ikageng
Armed with monetary assistance, Atlas Copco reached out to HCI Foundation post a call for help on ENCA. The Foundation is the corporate social investment arm of HCI, a black empowerment investment company that has its origins in the Southern African Clothing and Textile Workersâ Union. In response, the company donated R10 000 which is being used to buy food parcels that are being distributed in different regions.
R30 000 in monetary funds were subsequently gifted to Ikageng, based in Orlando West in Soweto. Ikageng Itireleng means âhelp them help themselvesâ, which is exactly what the organisation has been doing for more than 15,000 orphaned and vulnerable children. These funds are being used to purchase food, clothing and requirements for gardening.
Fountain of Love
More recently in August and, in support of Womenâs Month, Atlas Copco donated food together with hygiene and cleaning supplies to Fountain of Love, a Home based in Kathlehong which caters to the needs of 48 children who are infected by HIV/ AIDS and those who have been abused, neglected and abandoned.
âGiven the recent escalation of gender-based violence and, the cynicism many South Africans have expressed this year over Womenâs Month, prompted us to take a stand for the mothers who fought hard for our country. Most mothers still fight their personal battles alone and silently. Given our countryâs unique spirit of ubuntu, it is the responsibility of every organisation and South African to help in whatever capacity they are able to and, give back â particularly to the mothers who are unable to care for their own children as a result of abandonment or worse, death. It was a blessing to be able to give back to Fountain of Love; not just by way of monetary donation but, also to have been able to encourage the young people to carry on with the good work that their mothers started,â said Ndlovu.
