At Elite Fire Protection one of our pillars is Social Responsibility, with a goal to work towards helping the United Nations to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals, even with the smallest act of kindness as a small business. This was seen during our recent activity on Mandela Day at the Bethany House Trust.
What is the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals?
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. South Africa was one of the 51 founding members of the United Nations in 1945.
At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.
What is Mandela Day?
Mandela Day is an annual global celebration that takes place on 18 July to honor the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. This day is a call to action for individuals, communities, and organizations to take time to reflect on Mandela’s values and principles and to make a positive impact in their own communities.
The goal of Mandela Day is to confront climate change, persistent and increasing levels of poverty, as well as inequality. For Nelson Mandela International Day 2023, it is the vision of the Nelson Mandela Foundation for the world to unite and act decisively against the consequences of climate change and food insecurity.
About Bethany House
Bethany House opened its doors in Krugersdorp in 1998 to aid in the well-being and development of children, with key focus areas of social welfare and child protection, education, and youth development.
The beneficiaries of these services are mainly children and youth under the age of 21 years, referred by social workers, the Children’s Courts, schools, the South African Police Service, and the Department of Social Development.
Bethany House sees children from Mogale City and the greater West Rand region benefiting from the programs that they have to offer. Although they have 2 child and youth care centers, the center Elite Fire was able to focus on Mandela Day houses just over 80 children from birth to post matric.
They empower post matriculants on how to do budgets, apply for identity documents etc. which help children move from adolescents to adulthood easier.
To learn more about Bethany House, volunteer your time or to donate, please visit their Facebook page.
Elite Fire’s Contribution
This Mandela Day Elite Fire decided to get more “hands on”, with a mission to make children smile and add value to the employees of the selected charity.
Every year, Elite Fire requests our employees to nominate a charity for Mandela Day and allow all of its employees to vote.
This year we voted for and volunteered at Bethany House to brighten some of the girls’ rooms with a fresh coat of paint, to contribute towards Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Our company was able to paint 3 junior girl rooms from an army green to a beautiful grey which brightened up their sleeping space. The contribution, among our social commitments, helps children build resilience in their place of residence and their circumstances, and showing the Directors and employees of Bethany House that we care.