2017 flashed by and before we knew it 2018 was upon us. PayFast decided at the end of 2017 to donate to three charities to end the year off on a high note. There are causes doing some amazing work out there and they need all the help they can get to make a difference in their communities. What better way to celebrate the New Year by making someone else’s year just a little better.
The charities that received a donation from us were Nourish, GirlCode and the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA). Here is more about each one.
Nourish
Nourish was founded in 2011 to address the inequality in rural areas surrounding high-income conservation areas around the Kruger National Park. Although tourists stream into this area, the communities surrounding it do not benefit. Today, Nourish has developed a multi-faceted approach to uplifting these communities and instilling a sense of pride in their African heritage and the wildlife around them.
Nourish teaches young people to protect their environment and the animals around them. It also teaches the wider community about sustainable farming practices, promotes education through a library they were able to build through funding and creates jobs for adults. Working together and being kind to each other is an important lesson they promote through their different projects and something we can all learn from. Getting involved is easy through their website and Facebook page. You can even take part in their Volunteer Program and spend some time in their growing and prosperous community.
“The Nourish community are so excited about this donation and we are going to use it to redo our garden and greenhouse” Sarah Bergs, Nourish NPO
GirlCode
GirlCode was founded in 2014 initially as a hackathon for girls in a male-dominated industry. Since then it has grown year on year as the demand for female tech events has grown. It is now not only an outreach programme for young women but also an outlet for successful females in the industry to come and ‘pay it forward’ by training and inspiring young females who want to enter the tech industry.
In 2017 Girl Code launched their workshop programs which enable young girls to hone their skills in design thinking, web development, HTML/CSS, presentations and more. The success of these programs has enabled many young women to reach their dreams and enter the industry with confidence. Now GirlCode is expanding to Cape Town and Durban and is looking for volunteers to help across various sections of their organisation. Get in touch with the GirlCode team and pay it forward.
“GirlCode would like to extend its sincere thanks to PayFast for its generous support as we enter 2018. Every time a corporate supports GirlCode with sponsorship funds, it has a direct impact on the number of young women and girls GirlCode will be able to reach. Therefore, PayFast has had a direct impact on our role as an organisation and the change we can affect for girls in the technology industry.” Zandile Keebine, Chairwoman, GirlCode.
Water Institute of South Africa (WISA)
WISA focuses on professional development and promoting excellence in the water sector in South Africa. WISA was started in 1987 and has since grown into a professional body recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority.
Through the growing success of their biennial, local and international conferences WISA is able to educate South Africans that water is a precious resource. Their main aim is to increase sustainable practices and share knowledge to water users and professionals across South Africa.
“WISA sincerely appreciates the donation provided by PayFast to the institute, we will be using the donation to further our social responsibility project in the Western Cape.” Melissa Wheal, Branches and Division Manager
We’d like to thank all our Causes that are making an making an impact all over the country in whatever way they can and we are proud to be able to assist you in our small way.
If you have a Cause that needs donations then find out more about PayFast Cause accounts which allows you to accept donations online (and you don’t even need a website).
