For Elna Els, helping people has evolved from something she wanted to do into a major part of her life outside the workplace.

Elna spent 20 years in the corporate sector, managing learning and development across Africa. She said helping people grow had always been close to her heart, but her corporate responsibilities left her with limited opportunities to become directly involved in community initiatives.

In 2016, she left the corporate environment and started a software company with her husband. As the business grew and she gained more time, Elna began looking more closely at the needs of the communities around her.

“I first started to try and understand what it is that the community actually needs,” she said.

Her community involvement includes supporting organisations such as Donald Gordon Kids Oncology, the Fred and Martie Soup Kitchen, Wings of Inspiration, Simunye Crèche and Cupcakes of Hope, among others.

Elna has been involved with Cupcakes of Hope for more than a decade, supporting its work with children affected by cancer. Her involvement has included hospital visits, fundraising and coordinating malls nationally.

Through these experiences, she said she became interested in understanding the reasons behind people’s needs rather than simply addressing immediate problems.

“There’s no use in giving someone stationery if reading is the issue,” she said.

This approach led to the launch of the Ruimsig Lions International Service Club in March. The club’s focus areas include disaster relief, food security, youth development, environmental protection, diabetes support, childhood cancer and mental health.

Elna has since become involved with schools, early childhood centres and families in communities including Muldersdrift, Honeydew, Wilgeheuwel and surrounding areas.

Her work includes connecting people with school supplies, clothing, food and other assistance, while working with organisations and individuals to make resources available where they are needed.

She said social media has helped her identify people requiring assistance, including a family affected by the Video informal settlement fire.

Elna said she keeps donations at home and rarely turns down items because they may be useful to someone else.

“I never say no to anything. I always feel there’s something that we can use it for,” she said.

For Elna, community work also means respecting the dignity of those receiving assistance.

“It’s not about me being territorial. It’s about I want to see a change where I live,” she said.

As Women’s Day provides an opportunity to recognise women making a difference in their communities, Elna continues to build connections between community needs, organisations and people willing to help.