Bay business supports centre for disabled

A RICHARDS Bay business, Aluref (Pty) Ltd, is using waste to create furniture for local charities.

Last week Nawe Zifunze Disabled Association in Mzingazi received a donation of three desks and chairs manufactured from recycled wood.

This is one of Aluref’s Community Social Investment projects which has been running since 2012.

According to Aluref General Manager Jackson Jughdis they, with the cooperation of South32 Hillside, remove wooden crates used for packaging imported materials and discarded as waste.

‘The wood is taken back to our offices and recycled to produce wooden beds, tables and chairs, which are then donated to needy families and children.

‘Our staff are encouraged to volunteer and become involved in the ‘paying it forward’ project and all staff who volunteer can nominate a needy cause in their community to benefit from the project,’ said Jughdis.

Chairperson of the Nawe Zifunze Disabled Association, Paradise Jali, welcomed the donation and said it was highly appreciated by those community members living with disabilities.

‘As a community-based, non-profit organisation (NPO) our primary focus is to provide care, support and community development services and we rely on donations,’ said Jali.

‘We empower disabled people, operate a soup kitchen after school for orphans and vulnerable children, as well as a poultry project, internet café and sewing projects.

‘On a quarterly basis we distribute food parcels and clothing to disadvantaged people and provide life skills, computer training and teach arts and crafts.

‘We assist disabled people in the community with assistance devices such as wheelchairs and walking sticks and refer people with applications for social grants to the Department of Social Development.’