In an ongoing commitment to social upliftment, CHEP Sub-Saharan Africa and its long-standing partner, the DO MORE FOUNDATION, have made significant strides in community development through initiatives focused on youth with disabilities and boosting early childhood development (ECD). This collaboration underscores a shared vision of providing holistic solutions for social advancement, ensuring the delivery of immediate assistance while driving meaningful and sustainable change for South African communities.
CHEP, known globally for its pallet and container pooling services, has leveraged its resources and expertise to support the DoMorePlay woodworking programme. This initiative, a beacon for enterprise development and training, won first prize in the Disability Category at the prestigious Gender Mainstreaming Awards Africa. Through this initiative, young adults with intellectual disabilities receive training in skills like needlework, painting, and carpentry. They use timber pallet off-cuts donated by CHEP to craft high-quality wooden toys, fostering cognitive development in young children while simultaneously earning a sustainable income.
This serves as one example of how CHEP has effectively integrated product regeneration and sustainability into its business model, seamlessly aligning to and delivering on the principles of the circular economy. By minimising the single use of finite natural resources and maximising product lifespan through repair, recycling, and redesign, CHEP reduces waste outputs and carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future.
Marietjie Brown, CHEP’s Sustainability and Government Affairs Lead for India, the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa, expressed pride in the initiative’s success, saying, “As a proud partner of the DO MORE FOUNDATION, we are thrilled to see the impactful work of the DoMorePlay being recognised and celebrated. The essence of this collaborative initiative lies in creating opportunities that nurture potential and foster independence among youth with disabilities. These endeavours not only equip them with valuable skills but also instill a sense of accomplishment and self-worth as they contribute tangibly to society. We are excited to continue our collaboration and make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and communities.”
Since its inception in Worcester in 2020, the DoMorePlay programme has expanded significantly, thanks in part to CHEP’s assistance. By 2023, the programme had enabled the training of 66 youths with disabilities, the creation and delivery of 46,512 wooden toy boxes, and the distribution of these toys to approximately 18,360 young children across ECD centres. This remarkable achievement not only addresses the educational needs of young children but also promotes environmental sustainability through the recycling and reuse of timber.
CHEP’s commitment extends beyond educational toys. In the past financial year, the company continued its annual support by donating over 16 tonnes of DoMore porridge, equivalent to nearly 331,000 meals. This initiative ensured that 495 children received nutritious meals daily for a year while attending ECD centres in Soweto, Creighton, and Durban.
Iris Naidoo, Partnership and Enterprise Development Lead at the DO MORE FOUNDATION, commented on the transformative nature of the collaboration with CHEP, stating, “The partnership with CHEP not only brings valuable resources into our programmes but also injects innovative ideas that amplify our reach. What I find most commendable about our partnership is CHEP’s approach. Rather than imposing directives, they approach the collaboration with an open mindset, eager to listen and learn. They acknowledge the DO MORE FOUNDATION’s expertise on the ground, fostering mutual understanding and agreement on our shared forward path. This embodies the essence of our partnership – leveraging each other’s strengths to address needs and, together, generate meaningful impact.”
Through initiatives like DoMorePlay and the nutritional support programmes, CHEP demonstrates how corporate social responsibility can be effectively integrated with environmental sustainability to foster both social equity and inclusion.
Together, CHEP and the DO MORE FOUNDATION are dedicated to creating better tomorrows for South Africa’s young children, their families, and their communities.
Source: africa.com