Durban: Aspen, one of the world’s top 10 generic pharmaceutical companies by revenue and the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer in the southern hemisphere, is activating 29 projects across 11 countries on 6 continents in celebration of 2012 Nelson Mandela International Day (“Mandela Day”).
Stephen Saad, Aspen Group Chief Executive said, “We have embraced Mandela Day across a number of our businesses globally and we’re committed to making a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged communities on this special occasion. In order to ensure that many communities benefit beyond July 18, some of the worthy recipients that have been identified will become long term CSI beneficiaries of the respective businesses.”
“We are extremely proud of Aspen’s employees around the world who have engaged wholeheartedly in the campaign and who will be spending many hours making a difference in the lives of less fortunate communities. An extensive range of activities will be taking place during the forthcoming week including building a house; restoring a class room; painting, repairing and refurbishing children’s homes; planting gardens; creating safe play areas; feeding the hungry; gifting toys, clothes and educational supplies; caring for the elderly and destitute and much more. This is the true spirit of a caring company that lives its values by reaching out to those who are less fortunate.”
Aspen’s support of Mandela Day will be demonstrated in Australia, Philippines, Dubai, Mauritius, Germany, Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico and Venezuela. The majority of the beneficiaries selected receive no grants or support from their local governments and are primarily dependent upon the community for sustenance.
A range of projects have been embraced. The Aspen Australia team are working closely with Foodbank and Oxfam, Aspen Philippines is linking up with The House of Refuge in Marikina and Aspen Health Care in Dubai is supporting Médecins Sans Frontières. Aspen Bad Oldesloe in Germany is managing five beneficiaries that include St Josefs Children’s Home, SterniPark Children’s Home, OASE Multiple Generation House, Wichern Retirement Home and Ronald McDonald House in Lubeck. The Aspen Global team in Mauritius selected three separate institutions within Foyer Namaste which provides care for some 50 underprivileged children and young adults who are abandoned, handicapped or have intellectual deficiencies. Beta Healthcare is supporting the Havira Children’s Home and Aga Khan Hawkers Market programme in Kenya while Shelys in Tanzania have pledged support for the Chakuwama Children’s home, Kigamboni Shelter and Mpambano Women’s Group in Dar es Salaam.
Aspen’s South African businesses have selected nine worthy beneficiaries. These include Habitat for Humanity in Orange Farms; Bulamahlo Home in Tembisa; Ekusizaneni Children’s Home in Kwa Mashu; Sange Child and Youth Centre in East London; the Missionvale Care Centre, Sinethemba Children’s Home and Echo Foundation that are all located in the Port Elizabeth area; and the Casa Mia Pre-Primary School and Tehillah Community Centre for abused and destitute women and children in Cape Town.
The offices in Latin America are also participating in this day of goodwill. Aspen Pharma in Brazil is supporting the Cidade de Deus project for underprivileged children while Aspen Venezuela is reaching out to some 250 orphaned, abandoned or HIV/Aids positive children from Asociación Benefactora de Ayuda al Niño Sin Asistencia in Caracas. Aspen Labs in Mexico is supporting the Toluca-based Escuela Hogar del Perpetuo Socorro, a foster home for abandoned children who are victims of family disintegration and domestic violence.
Aspen has a long-standing heritage of CSI commitment to less priviledged communities and this ethos has been incorporated into the business practices of its offices globally.
For more information about Aspen’s 2012 Mandela Day activities, click on the dedicated link on aspenpharma.com. Activity progress will be uploaded as it becomes available.