The student-led outreach organisation, The Helping Hand, has challenged Stellenbosch University (SU) students to donate money to Stellenbosch-based charities, through their #GiveTen campaign that launched on Friday, 3 April.
The #GiveTen campaign encourages SU students to donate at least 10% of their social savings that would have been spent on recreational activities, said Thomas Butler, founder of The Helping Hand.
The Helping Hand was founded in March by SU Student, Thomas Butler. Photo: The Helping Hand facebook
“We encourage people to donate some of their social savings – so money not spent on social activities like going to bars, festivals, and concerts – to a good cause,” said Butler. The Helping Hand then provides a platform through which students can donate to the organisation’s partners, he said.
Alternatively, SU students can donate the money directly to The Helping Hand, who will then transfer it to their partner charities, he said.
An explanation of the #GiveTen campaign and how the donation process works. Infographic: MatieMedia
The driving force behind this campaign was to promote active citizenship and outreach among SU students, said Nopi Mubaiwa, director of empowerment at The Helping Hand.
According to Mubaiwa, active citizenship is the student’s contribution to the upliftment of surrounding communities.
“We live in a world where people have only come across the term ‘active citizenship’. But [people] have not really been given opportunities or found the relevant opportunities which allow them to turn the term into an actual reality,” Mubaiwa said.
The services offered by Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch include animal rescue, an animal clinic, and an animal adoption programme. Photo: AWSS Facebook
One of The Helping Hand’s partner charities is the Animal Welfare Society Stellenbosch (AWSS).
Due to the lockdown, the AWSS had to close all adoptions, as well as retail activities, said Jessica Perins, fundraiser at AWSS. These are their main sources of income.
“The partnership with The Helping Hand will definitely grow our supporter base and in turn, we hope that more people will consider donating each month and ensure we can continue speaking for, protecting and caring for animals in and around Stellenbosch,” Perins said.