Friday, November 4 was a day of special significance for the eLan Foundation and saw the handover of the Shakashead Community Centre to the Zimbali Rotary Club.
“In any of the projects we take on board, the aim of the eLan Foundation is two-fold. Firstly, to meet a basic need we see in the community, and secondly, to establish sustainability by encouraging community driven initiatives with the participation of community members,” said Melanie Clarkson, eLan Foundation Manager. “We always knew that somewhere down the line this centre would not be under our management any more. In fact, it was our hope that someone with even greater passion would come along and build on the foundations of our vision.”
In the picture: Thami Kamanga (eLan Director) hands over the community centre to John Coburn (Rotary Zimbali President)
The eLan Foundation is a Section 21 Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) responsible for the social responsibility division of the eLan Property Group. Founding the Shakashead Community Centre in 2009, the foundation’s role at Shakashead Community Centre over the last two years was to “provide a platform for other NPO’s to come together in a unified mission to meet the social and wellbeing needs of the underprivileged families in Shakashead” commented eLan Director, Thami Kamanga.
So much potential
The Zimbali Rotary Club, led by President John Coburn, first became involved in the centre when the club took up residence alongside the other NPOs establishing a children’s library. Initially aimed at primary school level, the library offering grew in leaps and bounds when a 40-foot container filled with books was donated! After the employment of a local librarian, the library allowed children in the area access to a safe place to read, learn, and explore the mysteries of the written word.
“We see so much potential here at this centre,” John said, “not just for those who come here every day, but for those out in the community who lack access to the services we hope to offer very soon.”
Next year will bring with it many new projects, including the development of a training programme specific to the manufacturing of palisade fencing, a medical clinic, and tunnel farms to generate income for the centre itself.
For info: luisa@elan.co.za
Tel: 031 576 9668