Page 12 - KZN BUSINESS SENSE Vol.2 NO.6

sErVing humanitY at homE anD abroaD

ormer President Nelson the international community of Locally, it has built strong been very active establishing 35 development of an organic
Mandela said, “What counts humanitarian aid workers. partnerships with disaster boreholes thus far in affected community garden near the Al-
Fin life is not the mere fact management authorities in South regions such as KwaZulu-Natal’s Imdaad Foundation Headquarters
that we have lived. It is what One of the early missions of Africa and regularly participates uMkhanyakude and Zululand in Estcourt, has helped local
difference we have made to the the Al-Imdaad Foundation was in disaster response activities. Districts. Established with Jojo community members to relearn
lives of others that will determine in response to the 2004 tsunami With provincial offices in the tanks, pumps and filtration the forgotten knowledge of food
the significance of the life we lead.” in Indonesia. This included joint Eastern Cape, Western Cape, mechanisms, these boreholes are production. The garden is into its
The Al-Imdaad Foundation, as a activities with the Department Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal a source of great relief for drought fourth year and has become an
proudly South African non-profit of International Relations and and Gauteng, it is well placed to stricken communities. environment of empowerment and
humanitarian aid organisation, Cooperation (DIRCO) and respond in many areas. In addition skill generation for those involved.
has taken this to heart. the office of then President Mr to disaster relief, the foundation The list of Al-Imdaad Foundation
Thabo Mbeki. This mission has also become a trusted partner local projects includes early Recently the efforts of the
Founded in 2003 in the town of also paved the way for the to the Department of Social childhood development centres foundation in South Africa were
Estcourt in northern KwaZulu- establishment of an Indonesian Development and Government established in four provinces recognised when the head of
Natal, the Al-Imdaad Foundation office that continues to serve poverty eradication programmes. to help rural children make the the foundation’s local projects,
has gone on to respond to needy Indonesians to this day. most of this critical phase. At Mr Abed Karrim, received the
humanitarian needs in over In similar ways the organisation The foundation’s local tertiary level, student bursaries Minara Chamber of Commerce
70 countries. It is dedicated has grown and developed by projects including the MAKE have ensured that hundreds are Community Builder Award for
to providing humanitarian keeping humanitarian boots on BREAKFAST POSSIBLE school able to qualify in a wide range of 2016. The Community Builder
services in crisis and non-crisis the ground in key areas where it breakfast initiative and SLICE- disciplines. In seeking to serve Award was an encouragement for
situations to the most needy has operated. This has resulted in 4-LIFE sandwich distribution the community, the foundation Mr Karrim and the foundation to
orphans, widows and destitute, the establishment of international programmes at public hospitals, recognised the need to partner continue in their efforts in disaster
irrespective of race, religion, offices in Australia, Bangladesh, which benefits thousands daily. with optometrists to conduct free relief, poverty eradication and
culture, creed or geographical Chile, Jordan, Kenya, Indonesia The seasonal Operation Winter cataract surgeries in an initiative social development. 
boundary. As a proudly South and the UK. Warmth blanket drive sees tens of known as Vision-4-Life.
African organisation that sees thousands of blankets distributed
every mission as an opportunity Whilst expanding its global each year. And with the recent Empowerment and skill For more information on the Al-Imdaad
Foundation or to support its projects
to display the national flag, the Al- outreach, the foundation always drought in South Africa, the development initiatives are also please visit www.alimdaad.com or
Imdaad Foundation has ensured remembers the old adage that Al-Imdaad Foundation has important to the foundation’s call 0861 786 243
South Africa is represented in says, “Charity begins at home”. activities. For example, the

12