Windhoek
Püpkewitz Foundation CEO and principal trustee Meryl Barry recently called on corporate Namibia to support the Namibian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in its campaign of “Namibians Helping Namibians”, to ensure it becomes a daily commitment and not just a temporary campaign.
Barry, speaking last Thursday on behalf of the Foundation, pledged its commitment to support the vital campaign of the Red Cross by donating tinned fish and cooking oil to the value of N$180 000, as well as water tanks to the value of N$20 000.
The campaign will soon be rolled out to our various Püpkewitz branches, allowing its staff to participate in this endeavour. “Let us, therefore, rise to the challenge to treat our fellow Namibian brothers and sisters with respect, care and dignity. There is no greater asset than the people of our nation.
“Their welfare and promotion is not only the foundation on which the Püpkewitz Foundation bases its ethos and work, but it is also highlighted in Article 95 of the Namibian Constitution,” she said.
Barry said the Foundation continues to work towards an increasingly well-educated and healthy nation. “With projects ranging from community care to sports, healthcare, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, arts and culture, education and environmental awareness, the Püpkewitz Foundation continues to respond to the needs of our country with an enduring commitment to building a better future for Namibia. Corporate social responsibility funds are drawn from the Group’s operating profits, thus acknowledging our loyal customer patronage nationwide,” Berry stated.
She reminded people that Namibia is currently suffering from the worst drought in living memory, with more than half a million Namibians experiencing food insecurity. “The Foundation places high emphasis on disaster relief support, community care and civil society action,” she explained.
She further reminded corporate Namibia that about 3 600 households in the Kunene, Kavango, Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Zambezi regions are in dire need of food, because they are in the grips of an El-Nino induced drought.
Barry commended the NRCS for responding in a timely way to the droughts of 2013 and 2014. The latest campaign, Barry said, allows every Namibian to play a part in giving assistance to their fellow countrymen and women affected by the drought.
“Every one of us has a role to play. If each Namibian was to help another Namibian living in these drought-affected regions proportionate to their means, this campaign would be a success and the war on poverty can be won.”
She said a civilised nation is one that looks after its most vulnerable and does not allow them to suffer while waiting on help from outside. “To this end the Püpkewitz Foundation, together with Püpkewitz Group of companies, commits to roll this campaign out to all our stores by placing large wooden boxes with the campaign message in each outlet of the Püpkewitz Group of companies. The public is, therefore, encouraged to place food items of any sort in these containers,” she advised.