Empact Group transforms Eldorado Park orphanage in Mandela Day makeover
In a powerful Mandela Day initiative, Empact Group renovated the No Victims Safe House in Eldorado Park, donating essential items, repairing facilities, and uplifting children and caregivers. Local leaders and businesses joined the effort to create a safe, nurturing home for vulnerable youth.
Empact Group (EG) lived up to its promise to renovate the No Victims Safe House (NVSH), a non-funded orphanage home located in Ext 1, Eldorado Park, and another one at Old Eldos on July 17.
Armed with brushes, ladders and paint, 80 EG employees and managers divided themselves into teams to transform the orphanage for Mandela Day.
The company donated a full kitchen unit, 20 new mattresses and bedding sets, seven baby cot mattresses, two new stoves and urns.
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They also treated the house mothers to a pamper session, including massages, pedicures, and manicures, while the children were fed and entertained by EG staff.
In addition, they assisted NVSH with repairing damaged bathrooms and toilets, and replaced broken doors.
EG’s HR executive, Salwa Albertyn, explained that they started work on Monday (July 14), as some of the tasks required more than just a day.
“Painting with such a large group takes one day, but we needed plumbing done and toilets fixed, hence we had to start earlier this week,” she said.
“Our CEO, Alan Quinn, was also here on Wednesday to evaluate the house, and he added more items to the list. So this is not going to be the last time you see us here. We are fully committed to carrying on doing right, and we would love to adopt this house.”
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As someone who grew up in Eldorado Park, a place often associated with violence and crime, Salwa pointed out that many positive things happen in the community too.
“There is so much that gets highlighted in terms of the bad in Eldorado Park. Yet there is far more to the area in terms of what is good. We have amazing people who do wonderful things in Eldorado Park.”
Reflecting on the work done, Section 79 chairperson for development planning in Joburg and Ward 18 Clr Juwairiya Kaldine, expressed gratitude to Soweto Urban and Empact Group, stating that none of it would have been possible without a collective effort.
Kaldine said she believes one of the government’s biggest shortcomings is failing to recognise that it takes a collective effort, involving all sectors and political parties, to rebuild the country and strengthen communities.
Her ongoing goal is to assist the home in meeting the Department of Social Development’s compliance requirements and becoming fully funded.
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“Children are taken out of homes that are not safe for them, so where they are placed needs to be a nurturing environment,” she said.
“You cannot take somebody out of bad circumstances and then place them in another environment that is just as unsuitable. I am grateful to the Empact Group.”
Kaldine confirmed that all the home’s paperwork is in order and that they are now waiting for the Department of Social Development (DSD) to open applications.
Bridget Claasen said it is difficult to run the safe houses without funding. She said DSD requires the house to be in good standing before they start disbursing the funds, and believes that the recent renovations will help in that regard.
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The founder of Just Connect Empowerment Services, Colette Steeneveldt, also donated 67 loaves of bread in partnership with Dawn Visagie.
Great South Contractors, based in Eldorado Park, volunteered their services and visited the home to assess how they can help.
