Charity - Inspired Living SA

Every Paw Print Counts

I love doing my bit for the environment or supporting wild life conservation. The small amount we do may seem insignificant but in my opinion every bit counts! Especially when doing good includes eating sweeties 🙂

Woolworths and MyPlanet have teamed up to raise awareness and funds to help save three threatened species. With the launch of the ‘Every Paw Print Counts’ campaign, every time you buy a packet of sweets, a bracelet or a shopping bag with the message “Every Paw Print Counts”, a portion of what you pay goes towards helping one of two MyPlanet beneficiaries, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Wildlife ACT Fund, for the conservation of the Cheetah, Rhino and African Wild Dog.

Woolworths has long been concerned about protecting our environment and wildlife. Now, with the ‘Every Paw Print Counts’ campaign you can help us give back even more. For every pack of Every Paw Print Counts Soft Fruit-flavoured Gums sold, R1 will go to protect these endangered animals; for each ‘Every Paw Print Counts’ bracelet R8, and for each reusable ‘Every Paw Print Counts’ shopping bag sold, we’ll donate R10.

You’ll find our ‘Every Paw Print Counts’ products at selected Woolies throughout South Africa and online at www.woolworths.co.za.

If you’d like to do even more for threatened species, you can get a MyPlanet card by applying at any Woolworths store or online at www.myplanet.co.za. Then, every time you swipe your card at Woolworths or other MySchool partners, a donation will go to the organisation/s you choose (you’re allowed up to three beneficiaries) without any cost to you. If you’re already a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet supporter, you can add or change your beneficiary by calling MySchool on 0860 100 445. You can also link your MySchool card number to any Woolies card to ensure that you give back every time you shop at Woolies.

Remember, every swipe – and every paw print – counts!

Be Inspired, Charity

Kiehl's Day

On 12 Nov 2003, the mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg, declared 12 November KIEHL’S DAY, in honour and recognition of Kiehl’s contribution to New York City communities for over a century. Since then, the Kiehl’s Family around the world celebrates Kiehl’s Day on 12 November, and aims to focus our attentions on this day to making an impact in our communities.

In honour of the 1st Kiehl’s Day here in South Africa, Kiehl’s will be packing 5000 meals for their partners, Stop Hunger Now, which will go to children in informal Early Childhood Development centres (or crèches) in Alexandra*, Johannesburg.

The objectives for Kiehl’s Day and the initiative with Stop Hunger Now, is to create awareness in our immediate community, highlighting the hunger concerns on our doorstep. The plea is to get Kiehl’s patrons and Sandton City shoppers to join the Kielh’s team and help pack a few meals, as part of the communities contribution.

If you are in Jozi on Monday 12 Nov, please do join us at the Kiehl’s store in Sandton City from 12pm-2pm, give a hand in packing some of the meals, so pop in to the store, and share the love! It would be wonderful to have you there, and we will also share some other exciting plans for the rest of Kiehl’s Month with you at that time (but don’t fret if you cannot be there, as we will send our press information as well afterwards) ~ Kiehl’s SA

*Stop Hunger Now, is a non-profit organisation, which aims to take care of the nutritional needs of children in early childhood development phase (below the age of 5) in disadvantaged areas. They focus their work in the informal sector with unregistered Early Childhood Development centres (or crèches), where they could care for up to 30 children during the day.

Be Inspired, Charity

High Tea at Red Cross War Memorial Childrens Hospital

On Friday morning I was invited to attend a decadent High Tea at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, sponsored by Krayons. I must admit when I awoke on Friday to the awful stormy weather, I questioned my sanity, leaving the house and braving said storm but I am so glad I did.

With Spring day officially a day away, Krayons had decided to bring their brand of happiness to the mothers, children and staff at the Renal, Cardiac and Tracheostomy wards.

The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital was founded at the end of WWII, when a group of soldiers vowed that they would create a place of healing to honour their fallen comrades.

The Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital is dedicated entirely to children, as is Krayons. Something that was very apparent on Friday! I was truly astounded at the amazing spirit of giving and generosity that was in the air, moms and nursing staff each received a Krayons gift package filled with the entire Krayons range. Not to forget the almost tangible excitement of all the little patients, who received a cute cuddly teddy and a box of edible sweets and treats, bringing a smile to all their faces.

For Krayons, this notion of honouring life, young life, is completely aligned to their CSI undertaking. It is a perfect and understandable fit. What defines the Krayons brand is their motto: Happiness Matters

Krayons began their affiliation with the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in January 2012 with a R200.000,00 donation to the Children’s Hospital Trust, which fundraises for the Hospital and Paediatric Healthcare in the Western Cape. They also regularly donate their child-care products to the Trust, which passes them on to the Friends of the Children’s Hospital Association, a vital part of this unique specialist paediatric hospital.

What was also apparent, on Friday, is that the Krayons team understands that mothers and primary caregivers need to be acknowledged and deserve to be indulged, especially those whose children are in hospital.

What an enlightening morning, which I was honoured to be a part of. It was wonderful to meet the amazing family, caregivers and incredible staff of this renowned institution, which is a cornerstone of paediatric healthcare. Most of all it was incredible to meet and photograph all the wonderful little patients who all had a smile on their faces.

The experience is something that will stay with me forever, illustrating is that this kind of principled and conscious partnering does indeed honour life, but more than that, it continues to help bring joy and happiness to those who really need it. Happiness Matters!

Thank you Krayons for a delightful High Tea.

If you would like to find out more about how you can get involved with fundraising at the hospital and add value to your community go to The Children’s Hospital Trust (CHT) website or contact them via email on [email protected]. If you would like to find out more about Krayons and the products they offer follow them on Facebook.

I thought I would leave you with beautiful poem I borrowed from the CHT leaflet:

The Circle of Life

“A Circle is a wondrous thing

– an endless promise.

An infinite. timeless path.

It protects and enfolds, guards

and holds, it is the beginning,

the middle and the end” ~ Anonymous

Be Inspired, Charity, Children, Family, Life, Lifestyle, Out & About

Believe in Zero

There are many campaigns worldwide which focus on the wellbeing of children but one that touched my heart recently is the UNICEF “Believe in Zero” campaign. As a South African and a mother I feel that this is a message that needs to be heard by everyone, whether you are a parent or not! This is my chance to get the word out there and use my blog to support this cause and “Lead SA” for our children.

UNICEF is calling on all South Africans to unite behind the goal of zero violence against children. In the run up to Child Protection Week (28 May- 3 June), its newly launched ‘Believe in Zero’ campaign highlights the role that everyone – not only the authorities – has to play in the protection of children.

South Africa’s levels of violence against children are among the highest in the world. Tens of thousands of children are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation every year – and offenders often go unpunished,” says Aida Girma, UNICEF Representative.

Statistics from the South African Police Service confirm there were more than 54,000 reported crimes against children in 2010/2011; however, crimes against children are grossly underreported and the real figure is much higher.

Sexual offences make up about half of that figure, while around 30 per cent of these victims are under the age of 10 years. Research has shown that in most abuse cases, the offenders are known to the children.

UNICEF Ambassador Yvonne Chaka Chaka has added her voice to the Believe in Zero campaign: Child protection starts with every one of us, as individuals – no matter who we are and where we live.”

UNICEF is driving the Believe in Zero initiative online. You can support the campaign and express your support on a specially designed Facebook app, here you can upload photos or videos, post messages and join UNICEF in the goal of zero child abuse.

Among those people who share their views through the app, one passionate supporter will be given the chance to take a field trip with UNICEF to see first-hand how the organisation works with partners – and children themselves – towards the fulfilment of child rights.

To find out more about Believe in Zero, or participate in the campaign, visit www.unicef.org.za or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Source: UNICEF

Be Inspired, Cape Town Lifestyle, Charity, Eating Out, Food, Lifestyle

World Fair Trade Day

The 12th of May is WORLD FAIR TRADE DAY! World Fair Trade Day is a global day of celebration of Fair Trade – around the world over 1,000,000 people will be doing something to mark the day.

To find out more about Fair Trade Day visit their website www.wftday.com. On Saturday people all over the world will be CELEBRATING FAIR TRADE in their own unique way, some events are quite large, some are tiny and could just be a few people getting together for tea.

The object of the day is to spread the word – tell someone who does not know about Fair Trade, enlighten them as to what it is all about.

So I thought I would let you now about something happening in our community, The Foodbarn Deli will be celebrating with a Bean There Fair Trade Coffee Day.

For every coffee bought at the Deli {sit-down only} on Saturday, Pete and Franck will donate R5 towards buying coffee harvesting equipment for a group of Rwandan coffee producers. So go along and support them, the more coffee you drink on Saturday, the more equipment they can buy for the farmers {and they make awesome coffee!}. For more information on their coffee partner in this initiative, click on to the Bean There website.