Social Impact
Making a measurable difference in the world is essential, no matter how small the effort is. For many years MHA has acknowledged that it needs to also focus some of its resources on disadvantaged residents of the Metro, the aged in particular, bearing in mind that MHA’s residential and caring facilities essentially cater for those folk whose financial position allows them to live in comfortable, affordable, safe and secure accommodation.
In 2005 MHA launched its Nikithemba outreach project, through which it provided a regular meal to a group of housebound indigent people in the city’s Walmer Township; they also received some basic hygiene attention, companionship and spiritual upliftment. MHA committed over R2,2 million to the Nikithemba project. In addition, many MHA residents embraced this outreach project, contributing clothing, foodstuffs, cash and other gifts, to ease the plight of those who have virtually nothing. Sadly, the harsh impact of the Covid pandemic put the project on hold, and it was later decided to discontinue it, to focus on other Social Impact initiatives.
While MHA currently has no established Social Impact project in place, in recent times we have donated a tract of our land to a pre-school in the KwaDwezi township; in collaboration with the Community Chest and other NPOs we donate obsolete kitchen fittings and cupboards when doing cottage refurbishments; we find a needy home for frail care beds and other equipment when we undertake upgrading.
MHA, as an organization and as a community, needs to continue focusing on ways in which we can make a tangible difference in our city.