Boston Media House PR students help Thembalami aged

Every year the Boston Media House Sandton Public Relations third year students are tasked with choosing a charitable organisation that they can ‘adopt’ and help to raise awareness and funds for as part of their experiential learning. 

This year the Class of 2017 chose Thembalami Old Age Care Centre in Lombardy, east of Johannesburg that cares for more than a hundred pensioners who live at the home. With many of the residents relying on social grants to survive, the home tries to take care of them as best they can but expressed a need for toiletries to help make the lives of their residents a little easier.

After four months of on–campus activations and fundraising initiatives, the third year students, who are all majoring in Public Relations, have successfully managed to collect over 500 toiletry items for the home, ranging from hand cream, tooth paste, deodorant, soaps and toilet paper, which will certainly make a difference in the lives of Thembalami residents.

“We have done it! This is truly a proud moment for all of us. All the stress and hard work was really worth it and it brings such great joy to us knowing that we committed to a projectthat brings smiles to some of the grannies and grandfathers of Johannesburg,” said Lerato Mokoena, PR3 student. 

Boston Media House Public Relations lecturer Claire Jackson–Bernardo said, “It’s a proud moment as a lecturer when a class pulls together as a team and achieves their goals. I hope this campaign will inspire many more young South Africans to care for our elders and do what they can to help”.

The campaign could not have been as successful if it wasn’t for the generous support of sponsors like Tom’s Tissues who generously helped by donating products. Director of Toms Tissues, Ntokozo Nkonyana said, “We don’t give because we have to, we give because we know how it’s like to be in need. We help out today so tomorrow you can go and help someone else.”

Mica Hardware in Parkmore also helped the students out by loaning the team a braai which they used to cook on so they could sell boerewors rolls to raise funds.

With additional support and donations from Boston Media House full and part-time students, staff and lecturers, the campaign not only gave the 3rd year students valuable work experience but also made them appreciate their elders. They have all committed to continue their support for Thembalami by visiting regularly and helping out when they can.

Anyone wishing to help Thembalami directly can contact them on: 0118824434 or visit www.randaid.co.za.

(Attached image of Boston Media House PR 3 Students with their stash of toiletries for Thembalami Old Age Care Centre)