Employees in action

APA (AkcjePracowników Allegro or Allegro Employees’ Auctions) is a workforce initiative launched in 2007 that has already helped eight children.

Each initiative or ‘edition’ is dedicated to a different beneficiary, mostly children in need or ill health. In practice, the concept works by publicising the beneficiary’s specific needs to the broader Allegro network. Responding to that need, buyers, sellers, suppliers and staff mobilise to do the best they can for each beneficiary – a charity auction with a difference.

From publishing information about the beneficiary on the About me page, to creating dedicated accounts for each child to house funds raised and holding collections across the company, families and friends, the APA team taps very resource available. With every edition, the number of listed auctions increases. In the most recent edition, the APA team collected around 900 items. Once the auctions end, the packing frenzy begins. With a few hundred items and buyers, it is a daunting task – and one that is not without mishaps. During the last edition, for example, the team sold a cup that had to be shipped three times before it reached the buyer in one piece. Fortunately, buyers are friendly and patient when they know the cause is a worthy one. The team tries to attach a note of thanks to every package, as a purchase is frequently only an excuse to help an ill child. Allegro contributes directly by sponsoring shipping costs,

Ten people are permanently engaged in APA operations. During particular editions, others help with collecting items, preparing descriptions, listing auctions, and any number of related tasks. Ultimately, it is a massive team effort with the ultimate pay-off– the smile of a child.

 

Humanity for orphans

Humanity for orphans, youth and widows initiatives Kenya (HOYWIK) works to promote hope and encourage innovations to build self-reliance among these vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities. Nelson Mandela Day in July each year is known throughout the world – a day on which activities are planned and carried out to improve other people’s lives. MultiChoice Kenya, together with the South African High Commission and other companies, pledged its support to HOYWIK's educational children's centre which caters to orphans and destitute children from sprawling Kibera slums. MultiChoice Kenya contributed KSh100 000, food and clothes to the centre as part of Mandela Day celebrations.

 

Community activities

M-Net Cares aims to raise awareness, inform, motivate and encourage M-Net staff members to participate in the company’s community activities. Recent activities include:

Odini Park Primary School laboratory revamp: M-Net Cares revamped a rundown classroom into a school laboratory, with painting, tiling and final touches all done by M-Net staff members

Villa of Hope Home for orphaned and vulnerable children: M-Net Cares transformed a dilapidated building at this children’s home in Nancefield, Eldorado Park, Gauteng. The building was completely renovated into a stylish, comfortable home for three youngsters who are ready to embark on a bright future.

 

Staff volunteers

Staff volunteers completed upgrades to:

The Jordan House frail care centre which provides services for the elderly. Plumbing was upgraded, the kitchen area refurbished, and a Christmas party held for residents

Othandweni Children's Home, which provides services for orphaned and vulnerable children. The computer room was upgraded, bathrooms refurbished and a Christmas party held for the children.

 

HIV/Aids community programme for young people in Soweto

Over 10 000 women in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg participated with SHAPE magazine’s team in the Totalsports women’s race last year. Proceeds from the events were shared among NGOs in the three cities, namely the Jess Foord Foundation in Durban which supports abused women, Elana Meyer’s JAG Foundation in Cape Town which concentrates on community sport and feeding programmes to make a different in young peoples lives, and Nanga Vhutshilo, and HIV/Aids community programme for young people in Soweto.

 

Internet cafés and computer training centres in townships, South Africa

Donated R350 000 to Silulo Ulothu Technologies to assist in opening more internet cafés and computer training centres in townships. A new centre offers connectivity services to the under-serviced area of Khayelitsha. Donated R181 000 to Mitchells Plein Education Forum providing internet connectivity and internet cafés.

 

Lwini Foundation

MultiChoice Angola sponsored the Lwini Foundation excursion held in the province of Kuanza Sul. The Lwini Fund is a charitable organisation raising funds to support the families and victims of landmines. MultiChoice’s sponsorship benefits remote communities directly, with children between the ages of 14 and 19 presented with wheelchairs.

Care More

Through the DStv Care More customer initiative, subscribers are given the chance to nominate community projects of their choice to receive support from MultiChoice. South African Guide Dogs Association as well as Girls and Boys Town are examples of some of the projects that benefited from this initiative.

Furniture

Furniture donations of over R2 million are made throughout the year to organisations such as Rachel's Angels Trust, Education Alive, Youth Junction, Ubuhle Care Centre, SDSI Foundation and Alpha Morningstar School.