The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall supports two NPOs, Friends of Free Wildlife, and the Botshabelo UpliftED Programme with generous donations
This formed part of the campus’ Corporate Social Investment initiatives, and the two organisations were chosen by staff and the campus Student Wellness Specialist.
To positively impact the Midrand community, The IIE’s Varsity College Waterfall supported two non-profit organisations – Friends of Free Wildlife and the Botshabelo UpliftED Programme.
Friends of Free Wildlife focuses on wildlife conservation, while the Botshabelo UpliftED Programme enhances early childhood education. These initiatives are part of the campus’ Corporate Social Investment efforts, with the organisations selected by staff and the campus student wellness specialist.
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Janet van Zyl, the director of Friends of Free Wildlife, expressed gratitude for the generous R7 500 donation. Van Zyl emphasised that as a community-based, publicly funded volunteer organisation, their work relied heavily on such generosity to care for injured and orphaned urban wildlife, giving them a second chance at life.
“With ongoing urbanisation, the threats to our wildlife and habitats are increasing, necessitating more rescue and rehabilitation efforts,” van Zyl noted.
The donation was used to electrify their newly completed mammal enclosures, providing essential heating and lighting for vulnerable animals. This involved digging a trench from the DB board to run a power cable to the enclosures, where each of the five cages was equipped with weatherproof plugs, switches, and infrared LED lamps.
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The project was completed in late November, creating a warm environment facilitating night feeds. During a recent handover visit, Waterfall College representatives witnessed the completed project and encountered the various owls and baby jackals benefitting from the improvements.
The Botshabelo UpliftED Programme received support aimed at enhancing early childhood education and empowering teachers in the community. Donated classroom materials will assist the 2025 cohort of teachers in creating engaging learning environments that positively impact the lives of young children throughout the year.
Lizzy Moyo, the fundraising manager for Botshabelo UpliftED Programme, expressed the organisation’s gratitude. “Your generous donation of equipment is truly appreciated and will significantly impact many lives. Your support empowers the small enterprises we partner with in early childhood education and teacher training,” Moyo said.
“These resources will be a vital starter pack for our trainees as they develop their preschools. The durable learning aids will benefit not only the children today but also enrich future generations. Your willingness to assist the community brings smiles to those we serve.”
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