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Tongaat Hulett Developments puts the heart back into Valentine's Day
Tongaat Hulett Developments puts the heart back into Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day has come to be associated with gift giving in the form of chocolates and flowers, but a group of Tongaat Hulett Developments' (THD) employees decided to move away from the commercial aspect of Valentine's Day by giving to those in need.
The six-member team, which forms THD's Social Committee, ran a two-week fundraising initiative, asking colleagues and other members to donate what they could so that 31 underprivileged children from Blackburn Village could receive new school uniforms. Donors were asked, rather than spending R20 or R30 on chocolates or flowers, to give that money to children in need.
On Friday 13 February, the bags and treats were handed over to the eager children who thanked THD for these life-changing gifts.
Development Director at THD, Karen Petersen, said the Social Committee took the initiative to start the selfless project, giving up their personal time and finances to ensure the message of love was felt by those in need this Valentine's Day.
"The Social Committee contacted Blackburn Primary School which is based in the heart of Blackburn Village. This is not an affluent area and we always give back to the communities in the areas we are developing," explained Petersen.
She said the school was identified as having a number of children from disadvantaged backgrounds who were in dire need of aid. The principal was contacted and 31 children identified as desperately needing school uniforms.
As of next term, the school will be moving to better premises at nearby Cornubia Phase 1A the pilot project of eThekwini's subsidised housing development allowing easier access to the school for more children. It will be renamed the Solomon Mahlangu Primary once it is officially opened.