Sauma: protecting life and hope in the heart of the Kalahari
Author: V5 Digital
Article originally posted here.
In an era where conservation challenges loom large, V5 Digital has taken a significant step in empowering environmental stewardship. Long-time members of the Pledge 1% initiative, our team used their expertise to create an impactful online presence for the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia.
Protecting the Stampriet Aquifer
The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer, Namibia’s sole year-round freshwater source in its arid south-east, is under threat. The prospect of in situ uranium mining, with its potential for radioactive and toxic heavy metal contamination, poses a dire risk to the drinking water, wildlife, and the health of the people who call this area home.
More than just humans rely on the pristine drinking water from our aquifers
If disaster strikes, the repercussions will be widespread. Yes, our drinking water would be jeopardised but many more areas would also feel the impact:
- Tourism and hospitality: In situ, uranium mining-related pollution can degrade natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, which are key attractions for tourists. This can lead to a decline in tourism, adversely affecting guest farms, lodges, villages and whole towns.
- Agriculture and livestock: Pollution can contaminate soil and water sources, affecting crop quality and yield. It can also impact livestock health and productivity, leading to economic losses in the agricultural sector.
- Real estate and property development: Environmental degradation can lead to a decline in property values in affected areas, impacting real estate development and sales.
- Healthcare services: Increased pollution can lead to health issues in local populations, potentially increasing the burden on healthcare services.
- Export sector: If the pollution affects products like fruits, vegetables, or meat, it can impact the export sector, particularly if importing countries impose stricter regulations or bans due to health concerns.
- Manufacturing: Sectors reliant on clean water and uncontaminated raw materials may face production challenges, leading to increased costs or reduced output. Additionally, essential community services such as fueling stations, banks, shops, and supermarkets will also be impacted.
- Recreational and outdoor activities: Outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, can be adversely affected by environmental degradation, impacting businesses that cater to these activities.
This urgency catalysed the formation of Sauma, a community united in safeguarding this precious aquifer. This isn’t just about conservation; it’s about preserving a way of life for the settlements, farms, game lodges, and unique ecosystems that depend on this vital water source.
A website and social media strategy with a purpose
Recognising the gravity of Sauma’s mission, V5 Digital embarked on a journey to amplify their voice. Our task? To develop a new website and a comprehensive social media strategy that resonates with the urgency of Sauma’s cause. Through this platform, we aimed to elevate public awareness, foster community engagement, and drive essential donations to support Sauma’s initiatives.
Local voices, global echoes
Central to our strategy was the integration of invaluable insights from devoted community volunteers, passionately dedicating their time to raise public awareness about this vital cause. We collaborated closely with vigilant farmers, caring parents, dedicated teachers, and individuals from various backgrounds, all united in their commitment to safeguard the quality of their drinking water for future generations.
When we inquired about their experience collaborating with us, Sauma generously shared: “Sauma extends its sincere gratitude to V5 Digital for their unwavering support of our vision and mission. The V5 Digital team has supported us with professional and generous backing, by applying their outstanding communication and social media skills, IT and marketing expertise. Our social media platforms and website are proof of this professional team’s outstanding abilities. Sauma’s new media presence reflects our commitment to protecting our scarce water resource for all Namibians.”
Let V5 Digital elevate your online presence with social media that connects and engages
A call to action
Our collaboration with Sauma is more than a project; it’s a partnership for the planet. We invite you to join us in this critical mission. Visit the beautiful new website we created for Sauma to learn more and make a difference. Your support empowers community advocacy, legal efforts, and the ongoing protection of the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer.
Learn more about Sauma and make a difference here.
Like, follow, and share their Facebook content here.
V5 Digital: Your source for sleek, functional websites that make an impact.
Armin Wieland, V5 Digital’s Founder shared the following: “V5 Digital, through our Pledge 1% initiative, support the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia. The aim of Sauma is to prevent any kind of in situ leach or leaching (ISL) or in situ recovery (ISR) mining in the Stampriet Aquifer.
“The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) covers a large arid region stretching from Central Namibia into Western Botswana and South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.
“As a Salesforce Partner and Pledge 1% member, V5 Digital is intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change. We have committed ourselves to be a Net Zero Company by 2025 – and are encouraging our customers to do the same across our value chain.”
At V5 Digital, we are intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change.
V5 Digital’s comprehensive services
Inspired by our work with Sauma? V5 Digital is here to bring your vision to life, whether it’s crafting a new website, developing a holistic social media strategy, or more. Let us help you make an impact in your field. Contact us here.
UNITED STATES, December 8, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ — Hyatus Stays, a leader in the hospitality industry, is proud to announce its commitment to donate 1% of its annual profits to support local charities and sustainability initiatives. This initiative is a testament to the company’s dedication to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
The company’s decision to allocate a portion of its profits is rooted in a deep understanding of the importance of community engagement and environmental care. Hyatus Stays’ approach is not about seeking attention but about making a tangible difference in the communities that have supported its growth.
Collaboration with Resettlement Agencies
A key component of Hyatus Stays’ commitment is its collaboration with resettlement agencies. These agencies are instrumental in aiding refugees who are starting anew in a different country. Hyatus Stays is working closely with these organizations to ensure that the needs of refugee guests are met with compassion and dignity.
This partnership is designed to provide more than just accommodation; it aims to offer a supportive and welcoming environment for those who have faced significant challenges and upheaval.
Support for Asylum Seekers
In addition to its work with refugees, Hyatus Stays is also engaging in initiatives to assist asylum seekers. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by individuals awaiting the resolution of their asylum applications, the company is offering subsidized stays. This effort is intended to alleviate some of the stress and uncertainty experienced by asylum seekers, providing them with a safe and stable environment.
Invitation to Join in Positive Change
Hyatus Stays is committed to leading by example and encourages others in the hospitality industry and beyond to participate in efforts to foster a sustainable and inclusive future. The company believes that collective actions, no matter how small, can lead to significant positive change.
As Hyatus Stays embarks on this initiative, it welcomes its guests, partners, and community members to join in this journey of social responsibility. This effort is a reminder of the power of collective action and the impact of responsible corporate citizenship.
In an era where actions speak louder than words, Hyatus Stays is demonstrating how corporate responsibility and genuine commitment can effectively contribute to societal and environmental betterment.
About Pledge 1%
A worldwide initiative, Pledge 1%, motivates, informs, and equips every entrepreneur, business, and worker to be a positive influence in the world. More than 17,000 members across 100 countries have leveraged Pledge 1%’s adaptable framework to spark billions of dollars and countless volunteer hours in new charitable giving.
For more information about Pledge 1% and how your organization can join the movement, visit pledge1percent.org.
Read Drone Deploy’s Impact Report to learn more about how they are leveraging Pledge 1%’s framework to have an impact.
This story was submitted by Passage Technology.
As winter approaches, positive stories about people making a difference can help brighten our days—and inspire us.
At Passage Technology, we’re proud to support Pledge 1% this Giving Tuesday, and all year long, through product donations to nonprofit organizations. Pledge 1% makes it easy for companies to donate 1% of their staff time, product, profit, and/or equity to a charity that they choose.
One of the nonprofits we’ve impacted is the Healthier Kids Foundation. Their mission is to remove barriers impacting the health, learning, and life success of Silicon Valley youth.
“We’re a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to providing health care screenings, as well as dental, hearing and wellness screenings to children primarily ages two through 18,” explains the organization’s Chief of Staff, VP Information Systems and Quality, Bob Hansen.
They also provide education for mothers and children, and during the pandemic Healthier Kids provided emergency distribution of supplies to families. The organization has grown from 28 people when Bob first started to 50 employees, and last year they provided screenings for 83,000 children. You can read the full story here.
Since 2012, Passage Technology has offered product discounts to nearly 166 nonprofit customers. During previous holiday seasons, the staff has also volunteered in their local communities and made cards for hospitalized kids.
This story was submitted by Chime.
Chime pledges 1% of equity to fund higher education opportunities for everyday Americans.
A message from Chris Britt, Chime CEO and co-founder
We started Chime to improve financial services for everyday people. Our idea was simple. If we could reduce stress around money, our members would have a better chance to thrive and live better lives.
Today, we’re taking another step to help unlock financial progress with the launch of the Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF). CSF will fund college and other post-secondary programs for those with a passion to pursue a brighter future through higher education. Our scholarships are designed to lend a hand to ambitious, everyday people so they can pursue careers without the heavy debt burden facing so many graduates.
Accessing Education – My Story
I grew up in Mount Vernon, NY, a working-class city that bordered the Bronx. With divorced parents struggling to provide for me and my siblings, it was our neighbor in the apartment below us, a WWII veteran named Joe, who stepped in to help. While my mom worked a variety of jobs, it was often Joe who made sure I got to practice, ate dinner, and did my homework, while still finding time for us to watch the Yankees highlights at the end of the day.
As a Little League player, I remember winning my team’s “Heart and Hustle” award. While I initially saw it as a consolation prize, Joe was thrilled and insisted it was the highest honor to earn on a team. I didn’t get it at the time – but I do now. Joe was everything to me – my surrogate grandfather and my best friend.
Life was tough in my neighborhood sometimes. Our schools weren’t great and when they got worse, my mother, a former elementary school teacher, decided to apply to a private school. Even with a scholarship, my family couldn’t afford to send me. Fortunately, Joe realized this and generously offered to pay the difference. Later, when I received a partial scholarship for college, once again Joe stepped up and paid the balance of my tuition. Thanks to this incredible man, I was able to get a great college education and kick off my professional career without the stress of student debt.
To say Joe was a blessing is an understatement. He taught me the importance of loving your family unconditionally, staying positive, working hard, and giving back when you can. It was his generosity and support that helped inspire the approach to CSF.
Chime Scholars Foundation
Higher education is one of the most powerful engines for economic mobility. With CSF, we aim to expand access so that others have the same opportunity I did. After all, we live in a country with a shrinking middle class and with more than half of American households living paycheck to paycheck. We also know that people with higher education or training earn nearly 2x over their lifetime than high school only graduates and are half as likely to be unemployed.
Too often, our post-secondary education system fails us. College tuition costs have far outpaced wage growth and inflation over the past few decades, making it out of reach for many. For those who do pursue a degree, more than half end up with crippling debt for years to come. For others, a four-year program may not be the best path for success, but they too are left with few options.
This is why we created the Chime Scholars Foundation. Operating as a non-profit, CSF awards annual, renewable scholarships for students pursuing education after high school. There are two attributes that make CSF unique.
First, CSF is designed for any type of post-secondary education, including four-year university, community college, or even vocational training like nursing programs and other apprenticeships.
Second, we didn’t design CSF grants just for the star students with 4.0 GPAs and a long list of extracurricular activities. These kids often have opportunities for grants and scholarships from the schools they attend. CSF is specifically for everyday kids like me who have responsibilities at home, work hard, hustle, and yearn for something more in life. Many of these students just need a little financial support to jump-start opportunities.
While we are formally announcing the Chime Scholars Foundation today, I’m proud to report that CSF has already awarded more than 350 scholarships in our pilot program. Going into 2024, we plan on expanding the program by welcoming over 100 new scholars.
Our ambitions for CSF are high, and my co-founder Ryan and I are enormously proud and grateful to our board of directors, investors, and leadership team for pledging 1% of Chime Financial equity to fund CSF going forward. With this funding and our unique approach, I’m confident that the Chime Scholars Foundation will be a positive force in our communities for generations to come. To learn more or to apply please visit the Chime Scholars Foundation website.
If only Joe could see us now!
Chris
This story was submitted by Wilco Source, a CitiusTech Company
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Wilco Source, now a part of CitiusTech, continues its commitment to the Salesforce 1% Pledge. We applaud Salesforce and all other organizations participating in this philanthropic endeavor.
At Wilco Source, a leader in providing tailored Salesforce solutions for Healthcare and Life Sciences organizations, we are dedicated to positively impacting the world around us. Our acquisition by CitiusTech, a significant milestone in our journey, has enabled us to expand our resources and amplify our corporate philanthropy and environmental sustainability efforts.
A Pledge for a Better Tomorrow
In alignment with our commitment to Pledge 1%, this acquisition represents more than a business milestone; it’s a gateway to greater societal contributions. We believe in leveraging a portion of our resources to support those in need and initiate meaningful change. Empowered by our new partnership, we’re poised to make a more substantial impact.
In 2023, the employees of CitiusTech and its subsidiaries, including Wilco Source, volunteered countless hours in various community service projects. These efforts reflect our commitment to social responsibility and embody the culture of our family of organizations, where giving back is integral to our identity.
Other initiatives include:
Environmental Stewardship: Our union with CitiusTech brings a shared vision for environmental care.
- Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Enhancing eco-friendliness in our workplaces.
- Sustainable Practices: Emphasizing our commitment to the environment through authorized e-waste recycling and employee-driven initiatives.
Enhancing Social Impact: The acquisition has also expanded our ability to contribute to CitiusTech/Wilco Source social initiatives. Efforts include:
- Salesforce Career Nurturing Program (SCNP): Annually, we aim to fill 20-30% of our positions through our SCNP. This program onboards individuals seeking Salesforce opportunities, offering them a 3-6 month mentorship. Historically, over 90% of SCNP enrollees have joined Wilco Source.
- Combating Hunger and Poverty: Supporting hundreds of children in Mumbai through various initiatives. Additionally, we would like to give a special mention to Sundeep Neravetla, who volunteered 60 hours for the Second Harvest Food Bank.
A Journey Towards Positive Change
As part of CitiusTech, Wilco Source stands at the forefront of corporate responsibility, embracing the synergy of business success and social impact. We are excited to continue this journey, leveraging our expanded resources to make a lasting difference in the world.
Join us in our pledge to contribute more, care more, and create a better future for all.
This story was submitted by Digitools Consulting, LLC.
Today is an exciting time for us at Digitools Consulting! As a proud member of Pledge 1% we donate 1% of our time, revenue, and product discounts to non-profits. I’m very happy to show the start of our journey to do good in the communities we serve. We donated $150.00 to Elevate Branson.
Pictured left to right. Bryan Stallings, CEO of Elevate Branson – Nathan Bunting, CEO of Digitools Consulting – and Katie Sandage, Director of Elevate Rides.
This story was submitted by KnowledgeOwl.
As part of KnowledgeOwl’s commitment to being a business for good, we started a “2% for People and Planet program” in June 2020. Through this program, we donate 1% of profits to people and 1% of sales to the planet.
KnowledgeOwl has been a Pledge 1% member since August 2021. Each month a different team member chooses a charity, non-profit, or organization with the goal of helping people and the planet. To date, KnowledgeOwl has donated over $20,000 USD.
More info about our “2% for People and Planet program” here.
This story was submitted by Good Stuff Partners.
We’ve helped launch a new public awareness campaign to tackle the fentanyl crisis called ‘Hey Marin, WTF?’
Fentanyl is an opioid about 100 times more potent than morphine and can be found in counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other substances. It can also be found in every city and town across the county.
Marin residents are shocked to learn that fentanyl is so prevalent here and often see it as a problem that exists over the bridge. But every five or six days, we lose a person to an accidental overdose, which is more than twice the rate of five years ago.
The Marin Community Foundation asked us to join forces with OD Free Marin (Marin Public Health Dept), the Marin Independent Journal, and the County of Marin to develop a provocative campaign. It’s fact-based and hard-hitting and should instigate uncomfortable conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. We want to raise awareness, increase access to Narcan (the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose) and remove barriers to substance use treatment.
Nobody in Marin is immune. Fentanyl doesn’t care how old you are or how much money you have. We’re all susceptible. This campaign aims to alarm everyone in Marin, so they understand the risks of fentanyl and how to find and use Narcan to save lives.
The ‘Hey Marin, WTF’ campaign will run for the next year and across the county in print, social media, bus shelters, and posters and will be shared widely with anyone who wants to help spread the word.
We’ve helped launch a new public awareness campaign to tackle the fentanyl crisis called ‘Hey Marin, WTF?’ For the past few months, we’ve dedicated at least 100 hours of our strategy and design to crafting a powerful new public awareness campaign.
Fentanyl is an opioid about 100 times more potent than morphine and can be found in counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and other substances. It can also be found in every city and town across the county.
Marin residents are shocked to learn that fentanyl is so prevalent here and often see it as a problem that exists over the bridge. But every five or six days, we lose a person to an accidental overdose, which is more than twice the rate of five years ago.
The Marin Community Foundation asked us to join forces with OD Free Marin (Marin Public Health Department), the Marin Independent Journal, and the County of Marin to develop a provocative campaign. It’s fact-based and hard-hitting and should instigate uncomfortable conversations with family, friends, and colleagues. We want to raise awareness, increase access to Narcan (the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose) and remove barriers to substance use treatment.
Nobody in Marin is immune. Fentanyl doesn’t care how old you are or how much money you have. We’re all susceptible. This campaign aims to alarm everyone in Marin, so they understand the risks of fentanyl and how to find and use Narcan to save lives.
The ‘Hey Marin, WTF’ campaign will run for the next year and across the county in print, social media, bus shelters, and posters and will be shared widely with anyone who wants to help spread the word.
So far, the campaign has gotten 325,000 digital ad impressions with a CTR (click-through rate) that’s more than double the national average. On social media, the campaign has reached over 1,000 accounts and received double the predicted engagement. Seeing these impacts, we were motivated to make this an open-source campaign for anyone to use. If you know any organizations, cities, counties, or states that need these assets, please go here to access the free toolkit. By working together and spreading the message, we can help save lives.