Islamic Relief (IR) on Friday launched its groundbreaking Corporate Social Responsibility Fund, which will seek to establish a network in which businesses can take an active stance in providing humanitarian relief across Southern Africa. Monies donated to the fund will largely be used for educational and relief projects across the region. The fund was officially launched at a networking dinner at the Steenberg Golf Estate on Friday.

“We come from an environment where we do work within the community, and we solicit funds from our donors. So the correct thing for IR to have done was to create it (the fund) in an organized way, presentable to not only donors from the community, but to business as well,” said Islamic Relief’s Ebrahim Mohamad.

The new initiative also sees IR collaborate with the Tutudesk Campaign, which aims to distribute over 20 million portable desks to children across Sub-Saharan Africa. The small plastic desks are aimed at making it easier for children to take down notes at school, with the ultimate goal of increasing literacy rates across Africa.

“We met up with them, forged a partnership and made a commitment that we would support them in the furtherance of their campaign. Alhamdullilah we reach an agreement with them, and the first rollout will be in March this year,” said Mohamad.

Another aspect of the fund is IR’s relationship with the Manenberg based Leadership College. The school aims to take children out of impoverished areas, providing them with basic life skills and a decent education, and to create better career opportunities for them.

“It is something that we couldn’t say no to. It is something that was needed, it fulfilled a purpose, and the function (of the college) was in the community. So IR latched itself onto it, and we committed ourselves to funding this project,” he added.

Mohammad urged the community as well as businesses to support IR in the venture.

For more detailed information on the fund, please visit the following link: ww.scribd.com/doc/255163147/Corporate-Social-Responsibility-Fund-Brochure

You may also contact the Islamic Relief Cape Town offices at 021 696 0145, or visit the branch directly at 62 Little Road, Athlone. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)