Atlas Copco is passionate about assisting the less fortunate through sustainable projects and, living up to this mandate, the company sponsored seven vegetable tunnels to four sites at Isaac Makawu Primary School, Setshabelo, AMCARE and Kwasa College with tomato, spinach and beetroot seedlings.

“It is a sad reality that many children and adults do not have access to a daily meal, let alone a nutritious one,” shares Atlas Copco Corporate Social Responsibility Manager and Executive Assistant, Bongani Ndlovu. “We wanted to change this narrative by sponsoring vegetable tunnels to provide healthy meals and an education around the preparation, care and maintenance of vegetable tunnels.”

Atlas Copco champions beneficiaries that support people affected by and living with HIV / Aids. Bongani points out that because it is vital for people with HIV/ AIDS in particular to include a lot of vegetables in their diet, Atlas Copco decided to build one vegetable tunnel at AMCARE. This non-profit organisation founded by the Alberton Methodist Church in 2002, provides a range of support and relief effort services and has a dedicated HIV / AIDS programme. By growing their own vegetables, AMCARE is able to take fresh produce straight from their gardens and cost effectively incorporate these veges into daily meals.

“Our decision to sponsor a vegetable tunnel at Kwasa College in Daggafontein, Springs, stemmed from a phone call received by Marilyn Govender, Atlas Copco Compliance Manager, from Kwasa College requesting our assistance with infrastructure,” explains Bongani.  “Although the school which has some 204 learners already had a small garden, we felt that it would be highly beneficial and more sustainable to build a larger vegetable tunnel that would assist Kwasa College in feeding more learners and the community around the school.”

The construction of the vegetable tunnels which have a steel structure enclosed by netting, kicked off in early September 2019 with the official hand overs taking place at AMCARE and Kwasa College where Bongani, joined by Atlas Copco Vice President Frans van Niekerk and the Corporate Communications and SHEQ team, donated the seedlings.  Atlas Copco also handed over dungarees and gardening gloves to the school.

Expressing their gratitude for Atlas Copco’s sponsorship, Marihet Infantino, General Manager at AMCARE, says that these  tunnels will undoubtedly contribute to the sustainable provision of food for those in need and will also assist AMCARE in its support of the community.

“We are proud to have in some small way contributed to the upliftment of a healthier lifestyle at AMCARE and Kwasa College and we wish them a fruitful and wholesome future,” concludes Bongani.