By: Rusana Philander
Twenty new volunteers who are truly making an impact in the communities they are working in, have been announced by Vodacom as part of their Change the World Programme.
The Change the World Programme was started in 2010 and the volunteers had the chance to give their time and skills to their respective NPO’s. Since 2010 volunteers from across the country have been part of this programme.
Suraya Humdulay, Vodacom’s executive head of corporate citizenship, explained that when the programme was launched, they looked at all the NPO’s they were already supporting and wanted to make it sustainable and introduced the Vodacom Change the World Programme.
“And as part of the programme we gave them professional people. One example was Dr. Keith Wimble who did magnificent work at clinics in townships. Some of the people loved their work at the NPO’s so much that they stayed on at the organisations. A few of the volunteers also work at organisations in the Western Cape which helps people who live on the street and drug addicts,” she said.
Another organisation where Vodacom has also placed a volunteer is Callie and Monique Trust. Callie and Monique Strydom was kidnapped a few years ago in Malaysia and held hostage for four months. Christelle Weyers (32) will be volunteering at the organisation, which focuses on gender based violence.
One of the other volunteers is Dale Skippers (42) will be working at the Life Changes Foundation, which provides education and training to young people who are addicted to drugs. She believes that with the right education young drug addicts can kick the habit. “My aim is to help the organisation these youngsters with their addictions, find jobs and become leaders in their communities,” she said.
Solomon Willis (40), also a volunteer, will be working at the NPO Business Bridge. He will be providing business skills training to previously disadvantaged communities in Philippi, Belliville and Khayelistha.
Rusana Philander Journalist& Photographer 