Eldorado Park orphanage gets new kitchen, support from private sector
The Empact Group surprised a local orphanage with a kitchen makeover and pledged continued support to help improve living conditions for vulnerable children.
The No Victims Safe House (NVSH) orphanage in Eldorado Park finally received much-needed support from the private sector after years of neglect.
On July 2, the Empact Group (EG) surprised the NVSH with goodie bags and a new kitchen unit, replacing the old, damaged unit the home had used for years.
The NVSH is home to 22 children and has provided shelter and care for abandoned, abused and neglected children since its establishment in 2019.
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The caretaker and founder of the orphanage, Liesl Valloo, thanked the EG for the support and love they had shown to the children.
She said the new kitchen unit had restored their confidence because the staff could now prepare meals with pride.
Valloo previously told the Soweto Urban that the home needed renovations estimated at R250 000.
With the kitchen revamp out of the way, the home still requires repainting, plumbing repairs and a safer outdoor space for the children to play.
She also spoke about the monthly financial burden of R14 000 for rent, along with water, electricity and rates.
“We would like to pave the yard inside and out because it becomes costly to cut the grass weekly.”
She further noted that Ward 18 Clr Juwairiya Kaldine had assisted the organisation in securing non-perishable foods for the house.
Salwa Albertyn, a member of the EG’s corporate social investment (CSI) committee and an HR executive, said she first saw the article about the NVSH published in Eldorado Urban on February 7 and felt compelled to act.
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“As someone who grew up in Eldorado Park, it struck a chord with me. I brought the article to our CSI committee and suggested we consider supporting the NVSH as part of our Mandela Day initiative,” she said.
Albertyn explained that before committing, she visited the facility to assess the conditions.
“What I saw was heartbreaking. The children live in an environment that is falling apart, especially the kitchen and bedrooms. It was clear something had to be done.”
She noted that the EG, which specialises in catering and kitchen solutions, partnered with one of its suppliers to donate a new kitchen unit to the safe house.
“Luckily, our kitchen supplier was willing to donate, so the unit came at no cost to us. But our involvement did not end there.”
She added that the company had committed to further support, including fumigation, plumbing upgrades, painting, and donating bedding, a stove and a fridge as part of their Mandela Day programme.
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“Our CEO, Alan Quinn, believes in long-term partnerships, not just once-off donations. We are also looking at how we can assist with monthly food and rental challenges.”
She said that meaningful change requires more than financial contributions.
“It is not just about writing cheques, but about physically showing up and getting our staff involved, so they understand the impact of giving back. That is what real CSI looks like.”
Kaldine said they still need books for the children, toys, games and non-perishable foods.
When asked if there were plans to advocate for policy changes or increased government support for similar organisations, Kaldine said, “We do not have any other organisations in the area.
“As I said, we want to get the facility in line with the requirements of the Department of Social Development by December 25 so the NVSH can get assistance from them.”
