This initiative forms part of the Vodacom Change the World (CtW) programme, a programme that enables volunteers to work for any NPO of their choice for a year, at no cost to the volunteer and host organisation.
"The initiative, now in its third successful year, is unable to accommodate everyone who has applied to be a volunteer and we have had to turn away hundreds of South Africans who wanted to make a difference. Through our newly launched public participation platform, the company can provide everyone with an opportunity to participate and rally behind their preferred NPO through volunteering time, goods or cash," says Maya Makanjee, chief officer corporate affairs at Vodacom.
Phase 1 will see the public participation platform comprised of the 20 NPOs that have taken part in the CtW 2011 and 2012 programme. Phase 2 will see the list grow to 40 organisations in April 2013. Thereafter, the platform will be open to all NPOs to register themselves.
"Our vision is to eventually enable all South Africans to give to NPOs through our mobile technology platforms, ensuring that 100% of the donations reach the hundreds of credible NPOs that will benefit from the platform." The company is excited about working in close partnership with the Praekelt Foundation and Sunday Times to ensure that the programme lives up to its full potential by helping to make a difference to those in need.
Marcha Neethling from Praekelt Foundation adds, "We were excited and honoured when approached by Vodacom to partner with them on this campaign. We have built a web solution that will provide much needed assistance for the NPO sector. With more households in South Africa having cellphones than computers, combining mobile web access and SMS donations substantially increases the reach of this initiative; making it easier for all to get involved." Meanwhile, Sunday Times editor, Ray Hartley encourages readers to use the platform to help make a difference.
The Vodacom public participation platform will give all South Africans, irrespective of which mobile network they belong to, the opportunity to donate money through a direct fundraising channel by way of SMS donations. Vodacom customers will be able to donate free of charge with all proceeds going to their nominated NPO.
Vodacom customers can choose to donate any amount from R5-R200 in increments of R1 (total payments limited to R200 per month) by sending their chosen NPOs keyword and an amount they wish to donate, to 30100. (Vodacom, the Vodacom Trust nor any of its respective agents will neither deduct or retain any portion of the donation Vodacom customers make using CtW, nor receive any commission, interest, rebate or other profit on any donation.)
Other network subscribers can donate a fixed amount of R30 per SMS at a premium rate by sending their NPO keyword to 42600. (Applicable fees are paid to the WASP that facilitates the donation. 100% of what Vodacom collects from other network operators will be donated to the relevant NPOs.)
For more, go to www.vodacom.co.za/changetheworld or vodacom.mobi/changetheworld
