Touchstone HQ talk Charities - A note from John Midgley, Director

Touchstone has provided financial support to many charities over the years, but we have been looking for some time for a charity with whom we could do more than simply donate funds. We first became involved with Habitat for Humanity (HfH) through a donation we made following the Nepal earthquake in April 2015. In discussions with HfH they explained to us an opportunity for Touchstone to become directly involved with them over a 3 year period in providing housing in Malawi through their project to support orphans and vulnerable children. This will involve a Touchstone staff team spending a week in Malawi for each of the next 3 years and be directly involved in the building of 24 homes with 24 improved latrines.

 

Mainly due to the HIV and AIDS pandemic, Malawi has over 1 million orphans and other vulnerable children, representing about 17% of the child population. Other organisations are focussing on education, health, nutrition, clean water etc and HfH is concentrating on providing shelter for these children as this is one way by which poverty can be eliminated. HfH plan to build 450 homes which will directly benefit 1,800 people. They are focusing on the Mulanjke and Salima districts where the highest HIOV prevalence rates are experienced. Touchstone will be sending a staff team to help construct permanent low cost housing for the next three years. This year’s trip, to Salima district,  will take place from 4 – 12 June 2016

 

The benefits of direct involvement in this project are huge for those who will benefit from a safe and secure home. But Touchstone will also benefit. It will build and grow our brand and will be attractive to potential clients and potential employees; it will help build better teams and a stronger company; it will enrich the lives of staff – both those who directly participate and those who, whilst not directly taking part, will feel much closer to the action on the ground. It will give us the opportunity to present philanthropic and corporate social responsibilities to all our stakeholders.