We’ve written previously about the Emjay Insurance Brokers Charity Golf Day, and about what great support we’ve received from the insurance industry to raise funds for the Communities Assist charity.
Our 2015 event took place in March, and has raised more than $30,000 for the charity, which helps to improve the welfare and economic outlook of AIDS-devastated communities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
More recently, we came across an excellent article in the May 2015 Law Society of NSW Journal, which really hit the nail on the head why Emjay Insurance Brokers feels so passionately about the Communities Assist cause.
The article (which you can access here), outlines the story of Australian lawyer brothers John and Steve O’Reilly, who established the charity in 2008. One of the charity’s primary roles is to support a Tanzanian orphanage known as Kili Kids. The region has an estimated 13 million orphaned children due to AIDS, and projects like Kili Kids help make an incredible difference to young lives.
The orphanage now sits in a two-hectare plot of land known as Rainbow Ridge and is a very happy home to nearly 30 boys and girls aged between 3 and 17. All are either orphans, or were removed from their homes by social services due to neglect, abuse or malnutrition.
Rainbow Ridge was previously a patch of barren land, but thanks to funds raised through Charities Assist, it is now bursting with life. Its gardens are filled with vegetables and fruit trees, and there are animal enclosures for cows, goats, chickens and fish. In short, it offers a way of life for these children that would have otherwise been unattainable to them.
Being able to make even a small difference to the lives of those in less fortunate circumstances than ourselves is a very humbling experience – and that’s why we’re so grateful to all those who supported our golf day and have done since 2010. It’s a great day out for them, but the possibilities their generous support enables for projects like Kili Kids make a long-term difference for those most in need.
Our Directors Mario Cuenca (a board member of Communities Assist) and Jeff Murdoch hope to get out to Tanzania next year to see firsthand how the funds from events like our golf day are being used to transform communities.
In the meantime, we’d encourage you all to take a look at the good work done by Communities Assist via their website. Every dollar they raise makes a difference, and if you’d care to donate any amount, it will be put to excellent use. You can make a donation here.
Our next golf day takes place on March 18 2016, at stunning St Michael’s Golf Club in Sydney. It is always a great day out, all are welcome, and if you or your company would be interested in taking part please contact us and we will keep you informed.