An act of kindness
ALEXANDRA -– Cell C donates 100GB of data per month to 40 of the Choma Dreams Cafes at Ratang Bana.
The Choma Dreams Cafes dotted around Alexandra will no longer run out of data following a donation from Cell C.
The mobile network communications company visited the youth hub Ratang Bana in Alexandra’s East Bank section and offered 100GB of data per month to each of the 40 cafes in the township, one of which is situated at Ratang Bana.
These innovative youth hubs aim to reach young women with HIV prevention and social asset building programmes in a safe, fun and girl-friendly way. During this visit Cell C was touched by the daily challenges faced by Ratang Bana and its passionate founder Ingrid Maredi.
Ratang Bana supports orphans, vulnerable children, the elderly and the unemployed. It survives on limited grants from government, embassies and other local donors. Often these do not cover their increasing costs with more vulnerable children seeking aid from the organisation more frequently.
“One of the challenges we face is providing enough food for those under our care,” said Maredi.
“Ratang Bana has a vegetable garden and recycling project to supplement our income. We also share the produce with other poorly resourced organisations.”
Cell C, as part of their ongoing Act of Kindness campaign, donated a chicken run and the equipment needed to breed and raise poultry, as requested by Maredi.
“This will allow us to increase our income while providing food in a sustainable manner. The poultry programme will be run by women who volunteer their time at the centre.
“We thank Cell C for this wonderful donation which will make a difference in the lives of many of those who rely on this centre.”
Suzette van der Merwe, managing executive for corporate social investment at Cell C, said, “We are delighted to be able to help. “Ingrid is an angel to many and passionate about her community.
“It’s our hope that this contribution will allow the centre to feed themselves while the sale of poultry also creates much needed additional funds.”
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