Construction firm donates to less fortunate of Les Mamelles district |24 December 2020

Les Mamelles district has benefitted from donations totalling up to R140,000 from construction company Allied Builders, which will go towards the most vulnerable persons in the district.

K.K Patel, group chairman of the KRG group of companies which comprises Allied Builders, handed over two cheques for R70, 000 to the community during a presentation on Saturday night.

Lit up in Christmas lights, the Les Mamelles community centre welcomed members of the KRG group, Minister for Local Government & Community Affairs Rose-Marie Hoareau, member of the National Assembly (MNA) Bernard Georges, district administrator Doris Kiwale, among other guests.

To note, the headquarters of the KRG group is also based in Les Mamelles, and as such the group offered the donations as part of its corporate social responsibility scheme towards the district.

One of the cheques was given to the district administration office while the other has been donated specifically towards persons living with disabilities in Les Mamelles.

In his address for the occasion, MNA Bernard Georges noted that Les Mamelles hosts one of the largest Christmas children party every year but this was not possible this time around due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

Instead, he continued, he and DA Kiwale have chosen to use part of the KRG donation to purchase school bags and stationery for all the primary students residing in the district. This gesture aims to lessen the financial burdens on families during this festive season.

“It is our hope that every primary child, from crèche to Primary 6, starts off the new year with their own bags, exercise books, erasers, pencils and so on,” MNA Georges said before presenting a few school bags to some of children present.

Although it is a much quieter Christmas time this year, Les Mamelles district has also gone the extra mile to decorate the district administration office and community centre as well as to place eight Christmas trees in different locations in the district.

On behalf of the Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs, Minister Hoareau thanked the KRG group for its generous donation and for bringing some joy.

“It just shows that there are companies, just as yourself, that actually put back into the community. It is through gestures like this, through your CSR of course, that you bring to districts like Les Mamelles,” she said.

“Christmas is often a time when we think of children […] so Christmas is all about giving and love. It is a festive season and we really appreciate the fact that Mr Patel’s company brought even more Christmas cheer,” concluded Minister Hoareau.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the handover ceremony.

Elsie Pointe

Photos: Joena Meme