Corporate Social Investment

James Gareh kicked off our Corporate Social Initiative with a grueling ironman competition raising 10 000 GBP with the help of Informa. In 2007 IIR SA officially ‘adopted’ Ekukhanyeni – Home of Light and Hope - a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation that focuses on community upliftment in two poverty stricken informal settlements close to Johannesburg. In partnership with the local communities, this project supports some 600 vulnerable children by creating self-sustaining communities through its green and holistic design approach to community development. Through its numerous sustainable technologies and lifestyles education, Ekukhanyeni is helping the adults in these impoverished zones to achieve (and sustain) food and nutrition security alongside providing effective early childhood care in ways which do not negatively affect natural resources and benefits human attitudinal and cultural systems in a positive manner.

Monthly each department collects money which is used to purchase food for the children and throughout the year various drives are done for special projects. The Internal Branding Group - consisting of representatives from each department - meet monthly to discuss and market the various initiatives across the company.

To date we have:

• held a soup drive for winter providing a bowl of soup for each employee that donated some winter items (beanies and scarves) for the children
• participated at various Christmas parties where IIR staff have dressed as clowns, acted as face painters, helpers and distributed gifts
• attended the Ekukhanyeni Spring Celebration assisting with the children during the festivities
• run monthly food drives conducted by each department to provide various staples for the children’s families
• paper collections for the children (all old paper that has only been printed on one side is collected and donated to the children to be used for their works of art)
• held a painting day where paint was collected and staff assisted in painting the various crèches
• run a blanket drive for old blankets to donate to the children’s families

We also have some exciting things planned like an ice cream fun day to raise funds for the kiddies - staff can exchange a donation for an ice cream (a great initiative to celebrate summer). The annual Christmas party is also coming up where various staff members will be going through to assist.

The IIR staff have really embraced this charity and the beautiful children that are part of it and Ekukhanyeni has become a part of our culture here at IIR South Africa.

Bring a Girl Child to Work Initiative

702 Walk & Talk/Laureus Foundation

Ekukhanyeni’ Zimesele Pre-School Project
 - Ekhukhanyeni Action Ball Concert  
 - Feedback (Thank you Letter)
 - Spring Party
 - Christmas Party
 - Graduation Ceremony
 - Movement Development Programme
 - Thanks for the Toys

Blanket Drive

The Tomorrow Trust - 94.7 Highveld Stereo