Child Headed Household

Gold Fields lends Rays of Hope helping hands!!!

Rays of Hope’s Child-Headed Households (CHH) project received a considerable boost when thirty members of the head office staff of Goldfields Limited paid a visit to Ikhaya Lomusa, CHH’s resource centre in Marlboro Gardens, next to Alexandra. The visit was part of the mining giant’s Mandela Day activities, which loom large on its social responsibility calendar every year. Vicky Britz-van Heerden, Goldfields’ head of human resources, explains the importance of Mandela Day to the company: “We engage with communities each July in honour of Nelson Mandela, and in the spirit of the 67 minutes of service that every South African is expected to render each year,” she explained. The fact that Nick Holland, Goldfields’ CEO, was at Ikhaya Lomusa personally underlines Goldfields’ commitment to reaching out to young, underprivileged members of the community. “There are in fact five senior executives present, including Nick and our HR director. We take this initiative very seriously,” says Britz-van Heerden. A carnival atmosphere reigned at Lomusa on a hot, early-spring afternoon. Cars jammed the street outside and guests were welcomed by friendly hosts wearing distinctive Goldfields bibs. Inside, everything was ready for the arrival of the most important people – the children. Braai fires were going and the smell of sizzling meat filled the air. Tables were set up all over the house for the youngsters with books to read and games to play. There was even a face-painting station. When the children arrived they were wide-eyed at all the activities. At first they were a little nervous, but soon settled down as the Goldfields staff began reading and playing games with them. Face-painting was in high demand. Kids were soon to be seen everywhere, some painting, others playing with building blocks, others concentrating studiously on their reading. Then it was time for lunch and the children settled down on the grass under the gazebo and tucked into their hot boerewors rolls, washed down with fruit juice. Often, on occasions such as these, sponsoring corporations provide a wonderful day to a group of children, but when it’s over, all that the beneficiaries have left are memories. Nick Holland emphasises that this is not Goldfields’ intention. “This is clearly an excellent initiative,” he says, “and we at Goldfields need to build a relationship with Rays of Hope that goes beyond Mandela Day.” Brits-van Heerden agrees. “We already have a relationship with Rays of Hope. We have already commissioned 64 of the woven bags made by Africa Works, and we will be ordering more. This is definitely going to be part of our corporate social investment activities.” How did Goldfields get in touch with Rays of Hope? “It was amazing. As our head office is in Sandton I was looking for a partner in the area. So I Googled “Alexandra charities” and Rays of Hope popped up at the top of the list. I am so glad it did,” Brits-van Heerden says. Everyone confirmed that the day was an unqualified success. The children revelled in the fellowship, stimulation and care showered on them by the Goldfields staff. The mining company representatives went home happy with their hands-on contribution and with getting to know first-hand about some of the challenges that orphaned and vulnerable children face in a poverty-stricken township that is but a stone’s throw away from their corporate offices. Sihle Mooi, Rays of Hope’s director, is ecstatic. “This was a great day for our kids. But more than that, we now have many new friends at Goldfields. I thank them from the bottom of my heart on behalf of our children for what they have done – and hopefully will still do – for Rays of Hope.”