Moved by a visit to Aged Valley Home in Lavender Hill, Engen employee Giannina San Giorgio used the company’s Employee Community Partnership Programme (ECPP) to rally colleagues to support their local community.

An automation analyst in Engen’s Information Technology Department, San Giorgio and 30 fellow Engen employees applied for support for the care facility through Engen’s ECPP.

The company’s ECPP seeks to create meaningful partnerships between Engen employees who are involved in community upliftment initiatives, and their local communities, and thereby foster a caring company ethos.

Each member of Engen’s IT team was eligible for a R5 000 ECPP grant taking the total contribution to R150 000.

The funds raised were utilised for urgent repairs to Aged Valley Home, including upgrading the roof and ceilings, refurbishing the ablution facilities and other general maintenance, including interior and exterior paint work.

The 13-room facility hosts 19 senior citizens ranging in age from 65 to 99.

Reflects San Giorgio: “When I visited the home, I was warmly welcomed by a group of residents who seemed very happy and were proud to point out an impressive food garden with a variety of fruit and vegetables used for resident meals and to save on costs.

“However, walking through the facility, I was saddened by the poor living conditions.”

Aged Valley Home’s primary objective is to provide a safe, secure, and caring environment to the aged, but a lack of funding was making it hard to render these services. 

“The building had structural issues that required urgent attention, and most pressing was the roof and ceiling damage resulting in leaks and flooding, as well as water damage to rotting cupboards and unsafe ablution facilities, which all needed immediate upgrading,” continues San Giorgio. 

“The aged infrastructure posed serious health and safety issues for residents, so my team and I wanted to make a meaningful difference and change the lives of residents by upgrading the facilities to ensure improved comfort and safety.”

San Giorgio and her colleagues have visited the care home regularly over the past few months, spoiling residents with games and books as well as blankets and towels.

At the official handover of the upgraded facilities on 01 December 2023, San Giorgio and her team plan to deliver care packs and enjoyed a morning of celebration with the residents.

Engen's Stakeholder and Transformation Manager, Dr James Xolani Nyawera commended San Giorgio and her team for helping to uplift the community and making a real difference.

“This is the very aim of the Employee Community Partnership Programme, which seeks to create meaningful partnerships between Engen employees, who are involved in community upliftment initiatives, and their local communities, and thereby further foster a caring company ethos,” added Nyawera.