Epiroc is no stranger to giving back and living their ethos of being a Good Corporate Citizen. So, it was no surprise that when a well-known organisation needed assistance, Epiroc jumped at the opportunity.
Project Playground Trust (PPG) is a Non-profit organisation, founded in 2010, engaging over 640 vulnerable children and youth in townships outside Cape Town, South Africa. They use a holistic approach, through educational, recreational, and supportive programs, to empower vulnerable children and the youth. Their aim is to create self-reliant individuals who can manage their own lives and therefore contribute to the democratic, financial and equal development of their societies. Terry Steenhuisen, who heads up the Funds and Engagement Development team says,” By being part of Project Playground, children gain self-esteem, determination, and belief in the future. These three things are key to creating better life conditions and resilience, which has a ripple effect throughout the whole community.”
With a demonstrated history of not just contributing but building relationships with all their charities, Project Playground Trust was a perfect partnership to continue that trajectory and really contribute to changing lives. Wayne Sterley, Regional General Manager, Southern Africa, says “When the need arose, we answered, and the result is something really wonderful and truly fulfilling for the recipient.”
Kelebogile has spent her life looking at the world from a lying down position. Since she became a participant of the Play on Wheels (POW) programme for disabled youth, three years ago. Project Playground has been trying to get her a wheelchair, but unfortunately, due to the long waiting list with government departments and the type of wheelchair that was required, which was more expensive, the situation was getting dire. Epiroc stepped in and within a few weeks Kelebogile received her much-anticipated wheelchair. Kelebogile’s mother can now see her daughter sit up for the very first time in years. Terry expresses her sincere thanks to everyone at Epiroc. “You have given a child the chance to view the world from a different angle and in so doing, she is able to do so much more. Epiroc has changed her life completely and like other children she can now see the world around her and not just stare at ceilings”
Project Playground also provides programmes in Early childhood development; academic support with English as a Second Language (ESL) programme; home visits; training around children’s rights and advocacy of the Child Protection policy; sports and recreation; educational screening by occupational therapists, psychosocial support to children and families who have experienced trauma by PPG’s in-house team of social workers. They also do Reflective Learning partnership (RL) that uses technology to establish on what level students understand math, mapping the gaps in understanding the various parts of math and creating individual improvement plans for each student.
With the work that Project Playground does, Epiroc decided to donate towards some educational materials for the Project Playground social work team and has also committed to supporting the team with two vehicles. “We are placing two unemployed social work graduates at Project Playground for the next twelve months,” confirms Wayne. “Our work here will be ongoing, and we not only feel proud but privileged to be part of an organisation like Project Playground Trust that does such outstanding work in helping our country’s children who are in need.”