Community development, youth empowerment and giving back to the community are very close to my heart.
Charity organisations play a vital role in bridging the gap between the fortunate and the less fortunate by, among other things, providing the less fortunate with basic needs such as medical care, food, shelter and education.
Marrying public relations with charity initiatives for clients, as Flow PR does, brings me so much joy. And that’s just what I got to do recently with Flow client Nando’s.
Each year, around the world, Nando’s grillers participate in a challenge for the title of Master Griller of the Year. The competition starts regionally, and is followed by national finals to determine the top four grillers who will represent Nando’s South Africa at the international finals, which will be held in London later this year.
For the first time this year, grillers in the national final grilled additional chicken (over and above what was needed for the competition), which was donated to the Yatsar adult centre; the Crossroads boys’ shelter; the Youth for Survival skills centre, and women’s and children’s shelters; Precious Pearl Shelter; and Home of Hope for Girls. These Pretoria-based shelters are all run by Khulisa Social Solutions, an NGO that addresses social vulnerabilities as a systemic problem.
“At Nando’s, we believe in giving back to the community,” says Lianie Botha, Nando’s internal marketing manager, “and this was a way of making sure that those less fortunate than ourselves could also benefit from our competition.”
In between the grilling at the Tramshed shopping centre on 3 August, there were chicken drop-offs at all five shelters, and it is always moving to be welcomed by the smiles and warmth of the shelters’ residents.
I had an opportunity to interact with the residents and found out that most of them have big dreams and aspirations, despite their circumstances.
Sphesihle Siwela, a young resident at the Youth for Survival skills centre, dreams of owning a restaurant one day. The shelter has enrolled him in a chef programme to develop his cooking and baking skills.
“I am very grateful for everything this shelter does for me. I gained so much courage and hope for my future,” says Sphesihle. “Thank you, Nando’s, for your time and all the information you gave me about food and restaurants. I truly appreciate it.
“Thank you for delivering on time as well; the Nando’s was still warm and I loved the taste.”
The Yatsar centre provides shelter, food and employment for homeless people who come from broken marriages.
“We are honoured that you thought of us when deciding who to donate the food to,” says Quinton Christiansen, Yatsar centre secretary, in a letter he wrote to Nando’s. “The residents here ate like kings and queens. It will definitely be a dinner to remember, and from all of the residents at Yatsar, we want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
“May you be truly blessed in all future business endeavours. Donations like this give our people hope and we thank you for that.”
It’s a marriage that sees everyone content and satisfied – and that’s the joy of giving back to the community.
