Joburg Children’s Home celebrates World Volunteer Day
“What touched us about the home is that it is one of the oldest homes in South Africa and they have been committed to helping children for over 100 years.”
LG Electronics SA partnered with Johannesburg Children’s Home to celebrate World Volunteer Day under the pillar of sustainability on June 7.
The home is one of Johannesburg’s oldest homes.
LG said the home’s 127-year legacy is testament to its sustainable approach and ability to adapt and they wanted to assist them in continuing with that legacy.
“What touched us about the home is that it is one of the oldest homes in South Africa and have been committed to helping children for over 100 years,” said CY Kim, managing director for LG Electronics South Africa.
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“Over and above that, they aim to provide sustainable solutions to running the home, such as the veggie gardens that feed everyone and a bed and breakfast on the property with all funding going back into the home.”
The LG volunteers planted various sustainable and seasonal vegetables.
“By planting a vegetable garden, we assist the home with a maintainable solution for providing healthy food for the children well past one day of volunteer activity by extending the food garden.
“Cleaning the cottages and grounds will demonstrate to the children how to take care of their environments and foster a sense of pride.
“The garden will feed everyone on the property, but would also serve as produce for the catering company that the home runs,” said Kim.
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A 24kg top loader washing machine with the latest inverter technology was also donated.
“We chose this particular washing machine to donate to the home because it will help lower their water and electricity costs. This will be beneficial to the home,” said Kim.
Head of operations at the home Fiona Duke said they are pleased that LG chose them because they need support.
“We need a lot of support. We need funding and basics to run the home. What we really need is more partners like LG that are focused on sustainability and technology to drive self-sufficiency. As the home, we are constantly looking for ways to self-sustain,” said Duke.
The home has already revived their borehole to reduce utility costs and it runs small businesses at the home, such as a small bed and breakfast, a catering service and venue hire to help generate income.
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Kim said LG South Africa, with the home, will develop two mutual objectives: teaching the children pride and the responsibility they have towards their environment, as well as sustainability.
“As LG, we hope this is a start of what we would like to evolve into what could possibly be a long-standing relationship. We are calling on all South Africans and corporates to get in touch with the home and become part of more sustainable solutions for some of Mzanzi’s neglected children,” said Kim.
Those who wish to assist can contact Duke at pr@jch.org.za or call 011 023 6870.
