The Rosemoor Crèche was identified by Mediclinic George's Corporate Social Investment Volunteer Programme as one of the community organisations that requires urgent assistance. The crèche caters for approximately 120 pre-school children up to the age of six.
The importance of this social responsibility exercise really hit home when the volunteers were being selected into working groups. They were divided up to tackle the specific tasks that had been identified in consultation with the management of the crèche. The realisation that the crèche playground is a mirror of life itself, made the challenge more rewarding. Just like the children, they arrived at the playground as near strangers due to the fact that they work in different sections of the clinics and do not always interact with each other. They left as a homogenous group - colleagues became friends.
"Our social responsibility programme doubles in value as we are, by default, also busy with a team-building exercise. This is actually a win-win situation as both the community and the workplace benefit," Judy Muller, client services manager for Mediclinic George said.
Gerda Reynecke, who usually works on the nightshift, says that "we are all on greeting terms with our fellow staff members but whether we really know each other is another question.
In my volunteer group I am interacting with staff members that, under normal circumstances, I do not work with. I have gotten to know them better. A better understanding of one's fellow worker leads to better human relations and productivity."
A well-stocked playground with suitable equipment can never be underestimated in the development of a child. It lays the foundations so that the skills of human interaction can be developed through safe play.
"This programme is planned to lay a platform by providing an environment in which all people can thrive and develop.
We will have to level the playing field in more ways than one to make a meaningful impact by narrowing the socio-economic and demographic gaps in our communities.
As a company, we are driven by the need for continuous improvement and for finding ways in which we can increase our impact on disadvantaged communities. Their playground became our playground," said Muller
One of the three new jungle gyms being built.
ARTICLE AND PHOTOS: MYRON RABINOWITZ
