"We’ve been engaged in CSR for ten years now," says Nic Jooste of Cool Fresh International. "Our goal is to give back to society as much as possible." A major project is the leadership project in South Africa, involving soccer for children. "The aim is to identify and train local leaders who can have a positive impact in deprived communities. The project pays special attention to children living in poverty."
In addition, “Stars in their Eyes” initiated several other projects. "Women taking the Lead" trained female coaches between 2012 and 2013, while “New Beginnings” worked exclusively in prisons in 2013. "We found that detainees are a product of the society in which they grew up. If you're exposed to poverty, violence, abuse and gangs from a young age, making the right choices is not so obvious." The biggest challenge is to prepare these young people for a possible return to society. "We do this by developing a passion for soccer."
In late 2013, Cool Fresh embraced yet another project: Little Libraries. "The aim is to offer business relations the opportunity to participate in our CSR activities." The process is simple: in African slums many children roam the streets. Older women in these neighborhoods have created primitive shelters, but small children have but few facilities and little entertainment. Little Libraries provide these centers with a bookcase filled with books. Since the beginning of the project, Cool Fresh International and its affiliates have made more than 25 of the 80 Little Libraries possible.
Jooste concludes: "We like to work with local partners, precisely because we believe in a 'local solutions to local problems' approach. This also allows us to ensure that all our projects are managed in a sound and efficient manner."
More information:
Cool Fresh International
Nic Jooste
nic@coolfresh.nl
www.coolfresh.nl
www.starsintheireyes.nl