On 5 September each year, the UN marks the International Day of Charity – an event to mobilise us all, individually and within organisations, to help others through volunteering and philanthropy.
It’s a day that focuses businesses around the world on the importance of their social responsibilities – something that we take very seriously at Glencore, wherever we operate.
Through our charitable contributions, we provide assistance to our host communities in the ways they need it most. This year, that’s involved working with local charities, such as the ones you can read about below, to make donations that significantly enhance the crucial work they’re doing on the ground in response to Covid-19.
Helping seriously ill children and their families in the UK
Earlier this year, Glencore donated $35,000 (approximately £26,800) to Rainbow Trust, a charity that supports families who have a child aged 18 or under with a life-threatening or terminal illness.
The Trust helps families deal with the physical and mental stress of having a seriously ill child, enabling them to make the most of their time together and providing practical and emotional support, for as long as they need it.
Its Family Support Workers have been part of the UK’s national response to the Covid-19 crisis, providing critical care and support from the moment the frightening reality of the pandemic first hit.
Like many charities, Rainbow Trust faced a significant drop in income because of the pandemic, as every fundraising event was cancelled. This very generous donation to our emergency appeal has made such an incredible difference to families’ lives, helping us to continue to deliver and adapt our vital service to support families in crisis.
Oonagh Goodman - Director of Fundraising and Marketing, The Rainbow Trust
Reaching out to Indigenous communities in South Africa
During the pandemic, we have also been supporting Re-Action, a South African social purpose enterprise, and its food support programme for the #Khomanani San Indigenous Bushmen Community in the Kalahari. This community’s income relies solely on social security grants and sales of arts and crafts to tourists. With the tourism restrictions as part of the lockdown in South Africa, that income was severely impacted.
Through the initiative we have been able to donate food supplies to #Khomani San families, while elsewhere in South Africa, our operations have donated over 12,500 food parcels to communities across the country, including Rustenburg and Steelpoort.
The #Khomani San are First people in Southern Africa and there are only 28 crafter families left in the Kgalagadi. Their ability to make unique crafts and paintings has been passed on to them through generations. Through this partnership with Re-Action, Glencore Ferroalloys has been able to donate much-needed food supplies to help support families and ensure this community is not neglected during this devastating pandemic
Sharon White - Executive Director, Re-Action
Providing a safe refuge for victims of domestic violence in Quebec, Canada
We recently made a donation of CAD$20,000 (approx. USD $15,000) to La Maison Dalauze, a refuge house for women who are victims of violence.
The centre provides a safe place for women and children in danger, as well as resources and counselling. Its aim is to equip vulnerable women with the tools to escape abuse, and work toward a future free of violence.
As well as providing a safe shelter, Maison Dalauze runs a variety of support activities. These include workshops, for example on topics like assertiveness, emotional dependence and self-esteem. It also offers psychotherapy services for women and their children, as well as social activities, and continued support via telephone and face-to-face.
Danielle Mongeau (left), General Manager, Maison Dalauze, and Denis Beaulieu (right), General Manager, Glencore CCR Refinery
Former residents can also benefit from day care and food support, and all services are provided free-of-charge.
We were glad to be able to support such an important initiative, particularly during a time when many are confined to their homes due to lockdown restrictions, and victims are at increased risk.
I would like to thank the Glencore CCR Refinery for their proactivity in identifying our needs in this time of pandemic. It's really appreciated to know that there are businesses in the community that care about a resource like ours. This is the best way to enable us to help these women and children who are victims of violence.
Danielle Mongeau - General Manager, Maison Dalauze
To read about how else our teams across the Group are supporting Covid-19 relief efforts, visit our dedicated page.