One year ago, Nedbank launched its Proud of my Town fund – a community fund with a difference that has since benefited 1,017 children from 40 crèches in Paarl and surrounds. Ranyaka, working alongside a growing network of organisations, serves as the implementing agent for the initiative.
Over the past year, the fund has enabled the training of 40 crèche principals in health and safety, hygiene and nutrition; the distribution of 10,000 nutritious breakfast meals; the donation of fire extinguishers, first-aid kits and signage to enable these crèches to adhere to safety regulations; the donation of educational toys to local ECD specialist Inceba Trust for use in its toy libraries; and the donation of a brand-new container classroom to a growing crèche in Klapmuts.
The clients of Nedbank Paarl have also been donating clothing and toys at collection points set up in the bank’s branches in Paarl. The next round of interventions will start in the second half of 2018 with the painting of three crèches with intumescent (fire-retardant) paint.
In keeping with Nedbank’s desire to do good, the Proud of My Town initative is more than a fund. It is also emerging as a model of what can be achieved when there is collaboration between the corporate and non-profit sectors.
Ranyaka works hand-in-hand with Impact Funding Platform, Valcare, ECD specialists, Inceba Trust, 2nd Harvest Food Bank, Monte Christo Miqlat, Wamakersvallei Training Centre, Khusela Ikhaya Project and the Drakenstein Municipality to implement the programme. This network continues to grow. The Ranyaka team looks forward to the next leg of this exciting journey!
Thank you to every strategic partner and ECD principal and staff member who have been working so hard to make a difference in the lives of Paarl‘s children. To the clients of Nedbank Paarl – thank you! Know that you are making a difference!