For many
South Africans there is very little hope of bettering their socio-economic
situation. Unemployment, the ever
dwindling government support for NGO’s and the growing need for services have
resulted in many just barley surviving. Whilst on the other end, the rich just
seems to get richer. Unfortunately, in South Africa, hundreds of thousands of
children are also affected and are more at risk of becoming victims of neglect
and ultimately violence.
This leaves
one burning question? If the problem is so big, will any effort to help really
make a difference? Yes, if millions of
South Africans can be motivated to take a stand, face the problem and actively
start with community work. And this is exactly what the Romans Pizza Double Up
Challenge hopes to do. Based on the age
old principle of passing on good fortune, Roman’s Pizza and the Callie and
Monique Strydom Trust is now challenging ordinary South Africans to “double up”
using their skills and their talents in
order to help millions of children in need.
The idea was inspired by Roman’s pizza
store owners who, during the last two months, donated a percentage of their
profit on sales in the “wipe that smile
on your face” charity drive.
During a
media conference last night, Roman’s Pizza handed over a cheque for R 1 million
to the Callie and Monique Strydom Trust, whose project Matla A Bana – a voice
against child abuse, assists nearly 13000 abused children every year. Aware of dire situation of many abused and neglected
children in our country, the charity decided to use half of this money towards
a campaign that will make people aware of the need of children and inspire them
to assist these children.
CEO of Strydom
Trust and Matla A Bana, Monique Strydom, said the ultimate aim of this project is
that long term relationships will be built and that the support will be
ongoing, rather than a once off. If this can be achieved it will no longer be a
double up, but rather triple or quadruple up. Monique Strydom is better known
as the hostage who in 2000 survived a 4 month ordeal in the hands of an Al Qaeda terrorist group.
She stated that she is a perfect example of an ordinary South African who has
been called to make a difference. With a
career that includes being a professional actress and media agency owner, she has
no knowledge of social work and initially no pressing need to do any social
work, but this has not stopped her helping thousands of abused children every
year. “In fact, I can actually use my acting skills now when begging for
money”, she joked.
When
presented with the concept, Roman’s Pizza, fell in love with the idea. “It was
exactly what we wanted to do – to wipe a smile on a face and with Double Up, it
will not only be the faces of the children who will be helped, but also those
who are doing the helping”, said Bonnie De Klerk from Roman’s Pizza. She added "Life is not worthwhile without a Smile
and why not give to those in distress, when we have everything we need. Making a difference is not only about handing
over a R1 million cheque, but about giving your time and feeling it in your
heart. Roman's Pizza really does care and we'll prove it be continuously
getting involved and lending a helping hand!"
Double Up
does not only call for individuals to “double up”, but the success of the
projects will also rely on the participation of many businesses. Of those there has been no shortage, even
before the launch of the project. Community stations across South Africa has
agreed to manage the marketing and updates on the projects in their provinces ,
the largest media group in South Africa has agreed to assist with spreading the
message and already phone calls are streaming in from businesses to assist
where needed.
The campaign
will include a web site on which charities and causes can list their needs and
blog sites for the participating community stations where the successes of the
projects will be shared. In true “double up” spirit, Roman’s Pizza has also
offered R 100 000 in prize money for the three best projects, to be donated to the charity of these
projects. Now individuals not only will
make a difference by helping, but if their project is a chosen, they can win
additional money for the charity.
One of the
projects already entered is that of a group of four 10-year olds in Cape Town
who will, for the rest of the year, host birthday parties and give out birthday
gifts at a crèche in an informal settlement. Another is that of hundreds of
dancers who will participate in a 12 hour danceathon at Clearwater Mall to
raise funds for comfort packs for child rape victims.
“With Double
Up, we do not want money”, Monique Strydom said, “we want you!” . This is truly a win win for all!
