Eurocopter Southern Africa donated a Toyota Hilux bakkie to the Inkanyezi HIV /Aids Organization from Orange Farm on March 6th, 2008.
In December 2007 Eurocopter embarked on an HIV/Aids drive to see what we as Eurocopter employees could do to assist those who suffer from this dreadful disease. During a presentation held at Eurocopter last year we all came up with ideas of how we could possibly assist and provide care and support the people with AIDS, and develop community action fighting the stigma and discrimination surrounding the disease.

In January 2008 we were approached by Father Guido Bourgeois of the Inkanyezi HIV/Aids Organization in Orange Farm. Orange Farm is a sprawling informal settlement, to the south of Soweto. The Inkanyezi HIV/AIDs project was set up in January 2001 with the hope of helping the growing number of HIV/AIDS adults and orphans there.

The project is made up of young volunteers between 18 and 30 who are otherwise unemployed. They are trained in home-based care, basic counselling, and the giving of workshops to school children between the ages of 10 and 15. At present their only remuneration is the sharing of meals with the HIV/AIDS patients and small donations when funds are available. The volunteers care for the HIV/AIDS patients in their homes. They also accompany them to clinics when necessary and counsel patients and their immediate families on how best to deal with their heart-breaking situation. The Inkanyezi Project also arranges foster care for orphans who have no immediate family to care for them.
The greatest need was that of food, clothing, education and the love and assistance of volunteers.
Father Guido Bourgeois requested assistance from Eurocopter.
Eurocopter decided to take part in this worthy cause and decided to assist the Organization in the purchase of a bakkie that was much needed. They travel far distances to purchase groceries and to deliver food and gas to families as well as transport the sick to hospitals.
Eurocopter Marketing team launched a drawing competition where the employee’s kids were asked to do drawings of the Eurocopter products and the children came up with some wonderful pictures that was used for the branding of the vehicle.

We would like to thank the following sponsors that assisted with sponsorships in this worthy cause:

• Manny at Rebel Farmers for fruit and vegetables
• John at Pick ‘n Pay Honey Junction for groceries
• Billy Selekane for a cash donation
• Robin Mitchell from Recruit the future for a cash donation
• Ian Mansfield for the unveiling of the vehicle
• Alfred Maraun from Aerocolour, Lanseria for the spraypaint of the canopy
• Eugene from Xtreme Signs for the branding of the vehicle
• Arnus & Anneline from Matrix Vehicle tracking for the sponsorship of the Tracking System

We would also like to thank the following children for their creativity that made the branding of the vehicle possible.

• Chantal Linde
• Camden Watt
• Julia Houareau
• Josephine Cagnat
• Marius Cagnat
• Michael Smith
• Cameron Smith
• Karl Stadler
• Ndabuko Ndebele

"WHERE THERE IS HOPE THERE IS LIFE" — INKANYEZI