ABOUT US
We focus on an assortment of self-help projects in order to maintain long term self-sustainment for disadvantaged people. The Paw-Paw Foundation provides funding to charities, projects and people who dedicate their lives to uplift, feed, educate and engage disadvantaged communities. Help us help them by making a donation.
We focus on an assortment of self-help projects in order to maintain long term self-sustainment for disadvantaged people. The Paw-Paw Foundation provides funding to charities, projects and people who dedicate their lives to uplift, feed, educate and engage disadvantaged communities. Help us help them by making a donation.
A note from our Chairman
I believe that we are all called to live lives that are bigger than ourselves. I further believe that one can only gain a sense of true fulfilment and happiness, when involved in something that takes you outside your comfort zone and requires you to give of yourself. It was to this end that the Paw-Paw Foundation was established.
Our organisation came about as a result of a simple idea that grew wings. We wanted to somehow assist the poor and needy, but did not know how to go about it. There is so much poverty and strife in the world, one does not know where to begin to help. And so we started trying to do at least something positive! Some hard lessons have been learned, but the Paw-Paw Foundation has grown magnificently and now seems to have a life of its own.
We have noble and lofty plans for this year and beyond. In particular, our Ziphakele Gardens project is proving to be a real winner.
Yours Sincerely,
Paul Myers
CHAIRMAN
Kim Matthews
AWARDED BY THE eTHEKWINI MUNICIPALITY
On the 5th September 2014 the CEO of the Paw-Paw Foundation, Kim Matthews, received an important award from the eThekwini Municipality, a Living Legends Award, which in part recognized the good work that the
Paw-Paw Foundation has been doing over the past six years.
The eThekwini Living Legends Awards is an initiative of the Parks, Recreation & Culture Service Unit of the eThekwini Municipality to recognise the greatness achieved by past or current residents of eThekwini in various fields of human endeavour, while they are still living. These Awards acknowledge individuals with outstanding achievements, and those who have demonstrated a sustained and extraordinary contribution to our legacy, in various categories of expertise.
HOW THE PAW-PAW FOUNDATION STARTED
A few years ago Durban Businessman, Paul Myers, decided to give a portion of his company’s income to charity. Frontline Underwriting Managers (Pty) Ltd put aside R 25 500.00 each month and paid different amounts to various charities accounts. Organisations like Durban Children’s Home, I Care, Save a Child, Tafta and others were given money every month. After a couple of years, Paul became frustrated with this and decided to start a foundation in order to raise funds and make more of an impact on the lives of the people he was trying to help.
One day a co-worker, Zelda, brought the most perfect paw-paw to work. She had been fascinated by this wonderful fruit which she had picked off her tree at home and brought it to the office to show everybody how perfect it was. There wasn’t a mark on it, not a single blemish and the birds had not made one hole in it. Paul was entranced with this beautiful paw-paw and by the end of the day, Zelda gave it to him to take home to his family. He was really happy and was looking forward to sharing the paw-paw with his family that evening. As he drove out of his office, a beggar appeared at his window. Paul looked for some loose change to give him and for the first time in his life, could not find a cent lying around in his car or in his wallet. He only had the incredible, delicious super fruit with him. He rolled down his window and gave the man the paw-paw, the blessing! The Paw-Paw Foundation was born and we have tried to pass on a blessing ever since.
SKILLS DEVELOPMENT
As part of our skills development project, we have partnered with an organisation called ‘The Little Wing Foundation’ who erect containers which have been converted to music teaching facilities at schools. Inside the containers there are instruments, lighting and air conditioners.
They have two containers, one being at LIV Village and the other at a primary school in Umlazi, Isithokoziso Junior Primary.
Where do we develop skills?
At LIV Village and at a primary school in Umlazi, being Isithokoziso Junior Primary.
OUR TEACHERS
We send 4 of our junior teachers to these venues to teach some 48 children how to play drums, recorder, keyboard and theory. Recently, during their school holidays, a group from this container performed their first concert at a mall in Umlazi and subsequently at a concert held for the Department of Arts and Culture.
Our goal is to get as many of these containers into as many schools as possible and train the existing educators to play an instrument and learn the necessary theory. Once they are qualified, we move on to another school, leaving the container for the trained educators to use on an ongoing basis. In this way we hope to empower many primary schools and hopefully start good and sustainable music programs in schools.