Bulelani Ku Yehova crèche, Delft

"Everything Matters" is not just about how we refer to our interactions and service to clients. It also describes our commitment to give back to our local communities. Our support for Bulelani Ku Yehova crèche is inspired by our belief in everything in our community being of utmost importance, including the wonderful little people at Bulelani Ku Yehova crèche.

The crèche looks after over 100 children aged between six months and six years and is located in Delft, Cape Town. When Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr initially started supporting the crèche, its premises consisted of two temporary structures that housed the children in all weather conditions. They had no running water, toilets or electricity.

The state of Bulelani crèche has undergone miraculous changes, owing mostly to the passionate work of Maria Ndlezana, a woman of great warmth and strength. With the help of the local authorities, Maria has been able to move the crèche into new permanent buildings. Maria left her job as a night nurse for a Bishopscourt family to look after these children while their parents are working. Maria relies mostly on the meager funds that parents might pay as school fees from time to time. Her granddaughter and a few other ladies assist her, but she is often unable to pay them for their services.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr's first official contribution was assisting Maria through committing our legal skills and knowledge in setting up a trust through which she can operate the crèche and raise funds to continue her good work. We further assisted the Bulelani crèche in its successful registration as a Public Benefit Organisation.

Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has purchased and donated furniture and fittings for the new crèche. In particular, Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr has installed a shade port which doubles up as an "outside classroom" and has also funded a vegetable garden; the children take great pride in looking after their vegetables and herbs. We plan to contribute more to the vegetable garden this year, to keep the birds away and the plants fertilized. In addition, we will be helping to renovate the classroom floors and to reward the teachers for their great service this year.

Our employees have also been kindly helping with donations of groceries, baby formula, nappies, blankets, clothes, toiletries and other necessities. Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr employees particularly enjoy visiting the crèche from time to time and have arranged an Easter bunny surprise, a "2010 soccer party" and annually arrange an end of year Christmas party for the children.