NPO creates greener pastures
Local NPO provides previously disadvantaged and disabled individuals with employment and training while benefiting the environment.
GREENABLE, a non-profit organisation (NPO) in New Germany, celebrated their first AGM and held a graduation ceremony for the individuals for whom they provide leadership and AET training, on Wednesday 30 October.
The NPO, which was initiated by Green Office in 2011, empowers previously disadvantaged individuals with disabilities, by providing them with work experience as well as an improved educational qualification.
The employees hired by geenABLE clean, dismantle , sort and recycle components of ink cartridges. The recycled components, mainly metal and plastics, are sold to generate income for the project.
“While being employed by greenAble, and receiving a steady income, the individuals in the programme also receive training. One of the criteria for the programme is that the individual may not have matric, so we provide them with a decent qualification in order to get proper employment. They work and train with us until they are employed elsewhere,” said Carla Higgs, director of greenABLE.
While the organisation runs its own fundraising efforts to finance the programme, they are also provided with funding by Palpac, IVS and Sibaya.
“It is an exciting programme, and it is wonderful to not only empower these individuals and to have a positive impact on the community, but also to reduce the amount of E-waste being dumped in land fill sites. Thus, having a positive impact on the environment,” said Higgs.
Wayne Fyvie, director of Green Office said, “It is a tremendous honour to know that we have made a difference in people’s lives, but it would not have been possible without the people who have worked behind the scenes.”
