An initiative by Business Network International (BNI) Nelspruit in aid of GRIP has yielded positive results.

This was made evident on Tuesday, when BNI delivered about 50 care packs and installed brand-new blinds in the entire organisation’s local offices.

In July, BNI started this initiative to honour former president Nelson Mandela. It decided to raise much-needed funds for GRIP, putting together care packs, collecting teddy bears for survivors and recruiting volunteers for maintenance work.

Angie Louw of BNI said the blinds were subsided by Blindquip and Windowtec Awnings and Blinds. GRIP provides care packs and various forms of assistance to those who have been raped, from the moment they arrive at the police or hospital until the prosecution process has ended. GRIP’s founder, Barbara Kenyon, said they appreciate the support they are getting from BNI.

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She said they initially needed blinds for one office, yet BNI offered to install them in all their offices.

“The blinds we had were falling apart, and this is because they had never been changed for over 10 years. During summer days, some of the employees had to work while exposed to sunlight. This installation will definitely change our lives,” she said.

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“We do not have a budget for care packs, and this donation will definitely make a huge impact for us. Due to the increase of rape cases, we need the care packs often; they play a role when we assist the survivors.”

Kenyon added as an NGO they depend entirely on donations and fundraising initiatives.