The global pandemic saw the difficult decision to close Ulusaba to guests in March 2020 and while this has been and continues to be a truly challenging time for the world of travel, our team at the lodge, several Pride 'n Purpose volunteers, as well as the team at Virgin Unite, have ensured our vital work in the communities adjacent to the Sabi Sand Reserve continues.
There may have been plenty of social distancing and mandatory masks that have been hiding our smiles, but everyone’s hard work and dedication shone through – even from our youngest volunteer Glenn – the five year old son of Ulusaba’s Purchasing Manager Glenda – who has taken to addressing the teams at every gathering and ensuring he thanks each and every one afterwards. From delivering food parcels to mask production, read on to find out more about key projects during lockdown.
Bags filled with food
Keeping the community fed
Teaming up with Virgin Unite, Pride ‘n Purpose has been working hard on ensuring our local communities continue to receive essential supplies by distributing parcels packed with foods such as maize meal; rice; tea and baked beans along with sanitising soap, washing powder and face masks. Coordinated from the Pride ‘n Purpose Dumphries Community Centre, on the latest food run we reached an incredible 300 families.
Food parcel day!
Ensuring an agile business approach
Our craft centre Ku-Humelela – a start-up business – was hit hard by the restrictions put in place across South Africa. Lockdown meant the suspension of community visit and the production of crafts suddenly came to a halt resulting in a loss of sales and income for our members. With travel not resuming, Pride ‘n Purpose worked closely with everyone at Ku-Humelela to move the business away from craft production, instead focussing on the production of masks and bags – much needed essentials at the time. This strategy proved to be very successful with orders coming in thick and fast. With 15 full-time members who collectively support 65 dependents, no less than 80 lives in total have been positively impacted by the success of the Ku-Humelela’s quick thinking and agile business approach.
Some of the masks and bags that have been produced
Working with our local schools
Several of the masks created by the crafters at Ku-Humelela have also made their way to the pupils returning to our Pride ‘n Purpose supported schools, while all of our female pupils aged ten years and above were supplied by essential sanitary supplies, making for safe and comfortable return to education.
To find out more about Pride ‘n Purpose or to make a donation, visit our website.
Girls receiving sanitary pads
School children wearing their masks