Tears raises funds for rape, abuse survivors
HURLINGHAM – The Transform Education about Rape and Sexual Abuse (Tears) Foundation hosted a fundraiser to raise awareness about rape and sexual abuse.
The event, hosted in collaboration with the Voice team, a group of Master of Business Administration students of the Henley Business School and pupils of Wendywood High School, took place outside Pick n Pay on Nicol in Hurlingham, and saw shoppers encouraged to donate their Pick n Pay smart shopper points to the cause.
Kalliste Kuhn, a senior training facilitator at the foundation, gave a brief overview of the foundation and why it was launched.
“The Tears non-profit organisation was started three years ago by Mara Glennie, and she started it to provide assistance and support to domestic abuse survivors, after being a victim of abuse herself,” she said.
“The foundation basically focuses on helping anyone targeted because of their gender, because we’ve seen what a big problem rape and domestic abuse is in the country.”
She also spoke about the need for funds and how Pick n Pay generously made Tears one of the beneficiaries that shoppers could opt to donate their shopper points to instead of spending them.
Kuhn also explained how Wendywood High School became involved in the fundraiser. “We had initially visited the school to host an educational session with the pupils and it worked out so well that when we decided to host the fundraiser, the school allowed us to get in volunteers to help out,” she said.
Also present at the fundraiser was Tony Mabasa, a member of the Voice team, who explained their involvement with Tears. “We got involved with the foundation because, as part of our studies, we had to be paired with one of the non-profit organisations selected by Henley and help them with their business strategy,” he said.
Mabasa added that it was an exciting experience to work with Tears and that they had learned a great deal from their collaboration.
Kuhn concluded by stressing the organisation’s need for funds to keep it running.
“We currently have a funding crisis and are appealing to the public to make a donation either with their smart shopper points, SMSing us or visiting our website,” she said.
Details: To make a donation, SMS 40111 or visit www.tears.co.za
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