BW staff recognised for community service

Employees of Bank Windhoek have been engaging in various forms of community service all over the country, constructing kitchens and choosing various beneficiaries to benefit from the employees’ kindness.
The Bank Windhoek Empathy project forms part of the bank’s Brand Ambassador Programme and is a way of showing how staff of the bank live the value of empathy, which is one of the core values of the bank. Through this initiative, Bank Windhoek encourages its staff to become more aware of the needs of their communities and to volunteer their time and resources to a project of their choice in their local communities.
Last year, brand ambassadors received N$2 500 for each branch and department to invest in a social investment project of their choice in their local community. They are encouraged to supplement this money from the bank with their own fundraising initiatives which also create an opportunity for teambuilding.
During the 2015 Empathy project, Bank Windhoek branches and departments came up with innovative ways to give back to, and support their local communities.
This year’s Bank Windhoek Empathy Project winners were Rundu Branch, Retail Banking Services department, Electronic Channels and the Bank’s ESME Branch.
Bank Windhoek Rundu branch selected the Visually Impaired Centre based in the Sauyemwa settlement in Rundu as their beneficiary.
Branch staff constructed a structure that the centre used as a kitchen facility since they used to cook under a tree. This gave members shelter from exposure to the elements. Various food items were also donated to the centre.
Retail Banking Services (RBS) staff identified the Dolam Children’s Home Trust (DCHT) as their Empathy Project beneficiary.
After staff of RBS familiarised themselves with the conditions at DCHT, it was decided to donate cleaning materials, groceries, toiletries, pillows and pillowcases.
RBS further collected donations from staff members. Staff members opened their hearts and donated items such as clothing, shoes, kitchen utensils, towels, bedding, curtains and hair accessories.
Bank Windhoek’s ESME branch identified the Humpty Dumpty Pre-primary School as their intervention. The school is located in Okahandjapark on the outskirts of Katutura.
For their project, the ESME staff bought a pallet of interlocks, sand and cement. With the free assistance of a contractor, ESME staff installed interlocks in the school’s single classroom.
One of ESME’s staff members, Leon Riekert, painted a Humpty Dumpty figure on the front of the school to make it more appealing to the children.
The Electronic Channels department chose to sponsor the Witkop Good Hope Hostel, situated a few kilometres outside Rehoboth. Children stay at the hostel on a semi-permanent basis as their parents are unable to transport them to school and back. They can only go home for the holidays.
Besides the N$2 500 the department received from Bank Windhoek, staff collected enough money to buy the hostel a desperately needed water urn and washing basin, as well as food.
“Bank Windhoek is proud of its staff for embracing the Empathy project and for selflessly giving their time and input for such noble causes. We would like to thank them for their effort and dedication to the Bank Windhoek Empathy Project,” said Marlize Horn, Bank Windhoek’s executive officer for group marketing and corporate communication services, at the award ceremony where the winning branches and departments were recognised for their outstanding efforts.
“You are proof that our philosophy of ‘Together We Do Better’ has had a very positive impact on the community,” Horn said.
STAFF REPORTER