Into Africa’s long standing partnership with &Beyond has instilled in the company a strong sense of CSR. For many years Into Africa has been proud of being associated to The Africa Foundation and has derived much satisfaction from the role we have played in facilitating CSR projects through this organization. In more recent years Into Africa has been delighted to see how much more CSR “conscious” our trade partners have become and have enjoyed identifying Community and Environmental projects and seeing the positive impact this has had on Communities.
As awareness has grown Into Africa has started considering more seriously what we can do directly as a company to fulfill our own CSR. The research that we have put into identifying our own CSR projects has helped us to better understand what CSR options are available. Through this process we have isolated projects which we believe to be run in a professional way, that are causes that are in genuine need and that offer an on-going benefit to the community in areas where they are most relevant.
Our criteria for supporting CSR projects are most often influence by the needs of Corporate Client objectives. These can geographic, logistical, ethical or they can be driven by preconceived ideas and unreal expectations. In many instances Clients are looking for an inter–active experience and chose to roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty. In some instances the nature of the project is limited to those that can offer the most strategic branding opportunities. But more often than not projects are chosen based on their long term viability and maximum benefit to the chosen Community.
Part of what we have set out to try to achieve is to develop a network of organizations with which we have been able to develop a good working relationship to help us balance all these criteria towards the most positive results.
CSR Projects
These are some of the projects which we have identified:
Food and Trees for Africa – Using a carbon calculator they estimate how many trees need to be planted to offset your carbon emissions (especially relevant to flights). These trees are then planted in schools and in among communities where they are most needed.
Philani Child Health and Nutrition Project – This is one of the biggest and most established projects running in the Townships. They are involved on many levels including an Outreach Programme for children, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, 6 Skills training centres, a craft centre, 6 Educare pre-schools and HIV/AIDS education and care. A visit to Philani can be incorporated into a Township Tour.
Kingdom Kiddies – This is a house of safety and care for babies that are abandoned, ill or neglected, babies are cared for until a permanent home can be found for them. This project works well for a “Volunteer Day”.They are involved on many levels including an Outreach Programme for children, Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres, 6 Skills training centres, a craft centre, 6 Educare pre-schools and HIV/AIDS education and care. A visit to Philani can be incorporated into a Township Tour.
Grassroots Soccer – This project was founded by professional football players as a project aimed at mobilizing the global football community in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The organization trains local role models to deliver an interactive, football–themed behavior development curriculum to young people. The Football for Hope Centre set up in Khayelitsha by FIFA offers a chance for interaction with kids from the local communities.
Maintaining A Sport Field – There is much need for assistance with maintaining the recreational facilities available to the kids in the Townships. Into Africa–s good working relationship with a Tourism Operator in the Townships gives us the chance to assist with the maintain and management of some of these facilities. Sunpower Solar Water Heating – By sponsoring a Solar Geyser corporate are giving access to hot water in communities that do not have these luxuries, without burdening them with any on–going costs. This initiative has the added appeal of being very environmentally friendly.
Ben Bikes or Bicycling Empowerment Network – This project empowers the local communities to start up their own businesses using old containers which are converted into workshops and shops for supplying bicycles and tools. Bicycles are distributed to learners, farm workers and health–care workers. Corporates are given the chance to have a cultural tour of the townships by bike!
Pinocchio Creche Greenpoint – This crèche offers a valued service to children of disadvantaged parents living in the townships and commuting to Green Point for work. The crèche is in desperate need of a major refurbishment.
Heart of Healing – This is a Cape Town based NGO which seeks to achieve its objectives through venture Philanthropy. They provide a vital link between donors and beneficiaries offering on the one hand leading edge CSI strategic planning and on the other ground partner implementation. They are involved in many social ventures. One is the Food Tents which enable communities to grow their own food in a make–shift greenhouse – increasing food production by 400%. The produce not only feeds the community but provides the chance for much needed income generation. Heart of Healing has also secured the rights to Cage Ball in South Africa. This is a fast growing trend sport which is played by four people in an artificial turf court.
Goal Keeper Academy – Farouk Abrahams Goalkeeper Academy provides essential training while at the same time offering life skills in the form of HIV counseling, drug awareness campaigns and a feeding scheme. The Academy is run on Sundays only and so interaction is limited.
Dreamfields Projects – DreamBags provide schools with a complete set of kit including boots, everything a team needs to walk out onto the field, ready to take on the world. DreamEvents bring schools, sponsors and the community together for a tournament, an exhilarating all–day celebration of the power of soccer to inspire the best in all of us. DreamFields represent renewed spaces for young people to play – not just restored soccer fields, but symbols of what communities and their partners can achieve by working together.
