 CSI SOLUTIONS CHARITY DRIVE DECEMBER 2007
"If you want to truly understand something, try to change it" (Kurt Lewin)
When I stumbled upon these words it impacted upon my thoughts and vision as to where CSI SOLUTIONS was headed. 011 December charity drive has opened up many doors of opportunities for South Africa's Social Awareness Upliftment.
On December 15 2007 a team from CSI SOLUTIONS, a subsidiary company of Balloons for Africa, after months of planning, began a journey of longing to make a difference no matter how small. From the beginning of the year a team of motivated individuals namely; Nadine Shapiro, Catherine Jumbo, Johan Steyn and myself, Daniella Shapiro have been putting a CSI Solutions "How Much Do You Know?" Campaign together through intense brainstorming, research and discussion. Each member of the team offering a unique style and contribution as to how this whole programme would come together. The conception of this programme has developed from a small idea that was borne to an action that is now taking place.
Our day began at 7:00am sharp where we finished up last minute packing. Our vans were loaded to capacity stocked with everything from foods, educational toys, books, clothes, t-shirts, caps, moneyboxes and school stationery. In addition to enable each child to get into the spirit of Christmas we handed out giant stuffed Christmas stockings. We embarked on our journey to visit Banakekeleni Hospice comprising of 14 children, Emuseni, which had 41 children, Wamwkelekile which had 15 children and Senzele, with 63 children. We were not quite sure of what to expect as a number of thoughts crossed our minds. However, the moment we came face to face with these children there were no uncertainties as to how exactly we should act or what exactly we should say. It was evident from that very first encounter that just by being there and giving these children time and love their faces were glowing and their smiles stretched from one side of their face to the other. We gave gifts to each child and assured them that we would be following up on every single one of them - especially with regards to acad emic achievement. This will be done by the principal of each hospice faxing through each child's school report and by CSI SOLUTIONSacknowledging and awarding those with high academic excellence.
As it is said "a smile is worth a thousand words" and my very first impression was how sad and how alone these children looked. The moment they were given our attention, love and time by playing games, singing songs and asking each child to shout out their names I could immediately see a glow in their eyes and a communication that was longing to be expressed.
The orphanages that we selected were all based in Orange Farm, Fine Town and Kew. Our reasoning for the selection of these orphanages, which we have now adopted, is that they had been overlooked and had not received ANY attention or financial aid. CSI SOLUTIONS being very big in condoms and aids awareness was yet another reason that we targeted these orphanages with children whose parents have died of AIDS or the children who are infected with HIV themselves.
I think that the words that would best sum up my experience on this day would be
"Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves" (James Matthew Barrie).
OUR MISSION AS CSI SOLUTIONS IS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITIES TO REDUCE THE SPREAD OF HIV AND TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF AIDS/ REMEMBER: KEEP SAFE WEAR A CONDOM!!!!!!!!!!
PLAIN NATURAL / COLOURS AND FLAVOURS |
