Social Investment
As a team we are proud to be in a position
to make a difference in the lives of some underprivileged people.Listed below are a number of community projects we are actively involved in:
THE CRADLE OF HOPE
| www.thecradleofhope.org
The Cradle of Hope is an organisation founded by Melodie van Brakel focussing on the needs of destitute women and children. They are situated in the West Rand, Krugersdorp. One of the projects under the umbrella of The Cradle of Hope is the nursery school Lappies & Lalie who currently has approximately 50 children attending Monday to Friday. Every child gets one meal a day, supplied by the nursery school and for many of them it is the only meal available. Lappies & Lalie has six dedicated teachers who receive little to no income but it does not stop them from helping and teaching these little ones every day. "The only way we can break the circle of poverty in future generations is by helping our children to obtain a good education.” The need is great but Visio has partnered with Lappies & Lalie on a monthly basis to assist with some of the operating costs as well as a printer that is now used for class work, colouring-in pages and many more. In the past the teachers had to trace every worksheet by hand for each child. Lappies & Lalie receives no government funding and relies completely on donations. |  |
The South African Holocaust & Genocide Foundation
Founder & Director: Ms Tali Nates
The South African Holocaust & Genocide Foundation (SAHGF) was established in 2007 in response to the incorporation of the study of the Holocaust into the National High School Curriculum. The SAHGF provides the educational and philosophical direction for the three Holocaust Centres in South Africa, Cape Town (est. 1999), Durban (est. 2008) and Johannesburg (est. 2008) and is dedicated to providing support for the national curriculum through the development of classroom support materials and the facilitation of national in-service teacher training, adult programmes and seminars.
Through its public programmes, the SAHGF raises awareness of Holocaust history and other genocides and uses the platform of the Holocaust to focus on human rights issues in contemporary society. Through its efforts, the SAHGF aims to help address the issues of racism, antisemitism, bigotry and marginalisation which still plague post-Apartheid South Africa, and to promote social activism.
BALWIN FOUNDATION – OTS (Off-the-Street) Programme
| The Balwin Foundation NPC was established in 2016 for the specific purpose of providing scholarships, bursaries, awards and loans for study, research and teaching. The Balwin Foundation promotes the development of knowledge and skills within the construction, property, engineering and associated disciplines. The Foundation adds value to Balwin’s community social responsibility objectives whilst at the same time addressing Transformation Guidelines and implementing Employment Equity initiatives. We have had a successful candidate, Thsepiso who was selling newspapers on the street corners of Sandton drive. Thsepiso was one of the "off the street" students and underwent various skills training courses at Balwin.He is currently employed by Balwin as a Finisher. [A finisher will deal with all finishes at building site e.g. silicone around baths, basically fixing things that are out of place and finishing off the unit to look good and be ready for the owner to move in.] Visio will contribute to more candidates enrolled at these training courses to give people a better future. |  |
iTHEMBA SCHOOL
 | iThemba means ‘hope’. Our vision is for children from under-resourced communities in the Southern Peninsula of Cape Town to be provided with the best possible intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual foundation for further education – giving them hope for their future. Our mission is therefore to: provide high quality pre-primary education ensure balanced nutrition and health monitoring maintain a safe and nurturing environment teach and model the good news of Jesus Christ The aim of iThemba is to work with parents and caregivers to prepare young children for school and life. We do this in partnership with the broader community by building relationships which seek to provide the best care for children now, and to pursue opportunities for further education. |
BETHANY HOUSE ORPHANAGE
| www.childincrisis.org.za
Situated in Krugersdorp, Bethany House Trust was founded by Gert en Antoinette Jonker in 1998. The Trust was established in response to the critical need of orphans for shelter, access to primary health services and education. Currently Bethany House is home for about 60 orphaned children. The Trust focuses on three areas:
Mission statement: "To develop and implement initiatives that will portray the Bethany House Trust as the leading nongovernmental organization in developmental issues affecting children and youth, and in so doing contribute to nation building.” Visio contributes a small fee on a monthly basis to assist with the overall operating costs. |  |
THATHULWAZI W.R. HIGH SCHOOL
Thathulwazi is a newly established school with 1241 learners. The principal is Mr Lekomanyane who is proudly competing against schools like Randfontein High. This government school is situated in the heart of Rietvallei near Azaadville in the West Rand. Thathulwazi also faces the challenge of supplying each student with at least one meal per day every day. Some dedicated parents come together every day to provide food and to cook the meals for the learners.Visio furnished the school with a complete library and in addition to that we pay for the monthly costs of three photocopiers. All tests and exam papers, newsletters and work sheets are being copied to all learners.
MAHARISHI INSTITUTE
| Tertiary Education The Maharishi Invincibility Institute is a non-profit organisation established in June 2007 to develop a new generation of leaders for South Africa. Maharishi Institute provides financial access to the qualifications of its education partners which students access via distance education, while gaining work experience. Visio is proud to be contributing financially on a yearly basis. |  |
STUDENTS
Visio is proud to sponsor the following students: | Prudence MaakePrudence is following her dream to become a Public Relations Officer and was enrolled at the beginning of 2016 at Boston Media House Sandton. She is doing a three-year diploma in Media Practices and is now in her final year. |
 | OBAKENG KGABIObakeng is registered with UNISA Pretoria and is currently doing his Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences. Whilst completing this two-year course, Obakeng is doing his training at a small auditing firm in Bedfordview. |
 | SIYABONGA NCUBESiyabonga has registered at the Oxbridge Academy, where he is currently completing his bridging certificate to N1, including Introductory Engineering Science, Mathematics, Industrial Communication and Drawing. He is also obtaining his National Qualification SAQA ID 67109. |
 | Gift MalulekeGift is registered with the University of Limpopo and is doing his three-year BSc Degree in Mathematical Science. Gift is not yet sure what career he wants to pursue after his degree, but he loves maths and for now that is what drives him. |
 | ZANE VAN ASWEGENZane is currently studying towards becoming a teacher at UNISA. This vibrant young girls loves working with people and especially kids. She wants to make a difference in the lives of children from a young age. Zane has also always dreamt of reaching people via radio. She is enrolled to do a 12-week course at HOT91.9 Radio Academy this year. |
 | PRECIOUS SHABAPrecious Shaba is a 18 year old, matriculated in 2018 and has a passion for buses. He has enrolled for a one-year Higher Certificate at Rosebank College in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, 2019. |
 | NALEDI LEOTONaledi's passion is to help small children with emotional disabilities to reach for their dreams despite of harsh challenges they are facing. She enrolled for three-year BA Humanities in 2019 at Universiteit van die Vrystaat. Naledi's high-spirited and energetic personality is well suited for her dream career. |
 | HELEN DU PLESSISHelen recognized the need for a qualification in teaching to help educate little people who currently have very few opportunities due to the harsh conditions they face on a daily basis. Her focus is also to improve emotional intelligence with these little ones so that they can achieve social and emotional success at an early age. Helen enrolled for a Grade R teaching Diploma at the University of Potchefstroom in 2018. |
SUCCESSFUL GRADUATES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
 | Awa Kunz-Karl-NamAwa graduated at the University of Johannesburg and has proudly obtained her degree in B-com Finance. She has been offered a 12-month internship at Grant Thornton Johannesburg which she will commence in early March 2018. Awa is an exceptional lady with a real "can-do attitude” and we are confident that she will be truly successful. |
 | THSEPISO RAKGWALEThsepiso completed a training program and examination to operate an excavator at the Auckland Tutorial College. He also successfully completed the following courses at The Balwin Foundation NPC: Bricklaying; Plastering; Manage Construction Resources and Basic PC Operations, showing not only great commitment but also quite the creative flair. A successful collaboration resulted in Tshepiso's full time employment in April 2018 as a Finisher at one of the Balwin Properties developments. |
 | Bongani McetywaBongani graduated from Walter Sisulu University in November 2016, successfully completing his Bachelor of Science – Environmental Studies. |
 | Sithembiso McetywaSithembiso has completed his teaching degree at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, specialising in Lifesciences, Mathematical Literacy and Isixhosa. |
 | EMILY SHABAEmily started her studies in 2016 at Rosebank College in Braamfontein, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, which is a three-year course. She has successfully obtained her degree and is currently busy with a bridging course through Harambee which commenced on 6 May 2019. This will lead to a Learnership at the end of 8 weeks. Harambe is working hand in hand with FNB to place candidates in the openings that they have. |
