Jacaranda FM's Mandela Month campaign sets out with a bold but simple goal: raise R20 000 per centre to fully upgrade as many ECD centres as possible, benefitting an average of 50 children per centre in regions including Boksburg, Rustenburg and Nkomazi, says the radio station.
Jacaranda FM calls on listeners to donate via its website toward full "centre packs," a comprehensive upgrade kit designed to create safer, smarter environments for learning and play. Each centre pack includes shade and fruit trees for natural cooling and food security, emergency rain cover and weatherproof materials, child-friendly water harvesting solutions, safe outdoor play kits and resources that enable indoor and outdoor learning year-round, says the radio station.
Jacaranda FM raises R877 000 in cash donations — including contributions of R308 000 from ABSA and R200 000 from Spar. The Good Morning Angels Fund is adding an additional R123 000 to round up the donation to R1 000 000, enabling the Do More Foundation to upgrade 50 ECD centres, creating a lasting impact on the lives of approximately 2 500 children, adds the radio station.
Significant contributions from corporate sponsors also amount to R700 000 in additional assistance for the Do More Foundation. In addition to their cash donation, Spar, is donating blankets to the various ECD centres valued at R300 000. Knittex is supplying 1 000 meters of shade-netting valued at R100 000 and Tupperware Africa is donating 2 000 Tupperware baby bottles and 1 000 replacement teats worth R300 000. In total, R1.7-million in assistance will be donated to the Do More Foundation, says the radio station.
"Creating safer, more dignified spaces for our youngest learners is one of the most meaningful ways we can honour Mandela's legacy," says Vuyani Dombo, Managing Director at Jacaranda FM. "At Jacaranda FM, we believe in using our platform to drive change that lasts and that starts with giving children the chance to learn, play and grow in environments that support their potential. This campaign is proof of what we can achieve when community, compassion and purpose come together."
"This partnership with Jacaranda FM and Good Morning Angels is a powerful reminder of what's possible when people come together with heart and purpose," adds Warren Farrer, CEO at the Do More Foundation. "The support we've received will enable us to transform early childhood centres into safer, more climate-resilient spaces, giving young children the chance to learn, play and grow in environments that truly protect and nurture them. We are deeply grateful to every listener and supporter who chose to do more this Mandela Day. Your generosity is helping us lay the foundation for lasting change in the lives of children and communities."
Across South Africa, thousands of young children attend informal ECD centres with no shade, no playgrounds and no protection from extreme heat or flooding. These vulnerable centres are run by passionate caregivers who open their doors each day so that local children have somewhere to learn, play and feel safe, says Jacaranda FM.
Without support, many of these children are overheating in unsafe structures during class, playing on scorching or muddy grounds without shelter, missing out on early stimulation and outdoor learning and experiencing dehydration, illness and discomfort, says the radio station.
This fundraising initiative forms part of Jacaranda FM's ongoing commitment to community upliftment, sustainable development and helping South Africa's youngest learners grow up in environments that are safe, stimulating and future-focused, adds the radio station.
For two decades, Good Morning Angels has been the heart of Jacaranda FM's community outreach, consistently demonstrating the power of radio to unite people for good. Through countless individual stories of triumph over adversity and significant fundraising efforts like this campaign, Good Morning Angels proves to be a platform for hope, directly impacting thousands of lives, concludes the radio station.
For more information, visit www.jacarandafm.com. You can also follow Jacaranda FM on Facebook, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.
*Image courtesy of contributor