Tru-Cape turns Casual Day into support for mentally handicapped Somerset West adults

Tru-Cape visits Aanhouwen in Somerset West.

Somerset West-based Tru-Cape Fruit Marketing, the largest marketer and distributor of South African apples and pears, started a staff initiative for this year’s Casual Day. “We decided to support Aanhouwen, a care and work centre for mentally handicapped adults in Somerset West”, says Tru-Cape accountant and social committee member Adriana Heydenrych.

“Aanhouwen was established in 1987 with just four members. Since then it has grown to a maintainable organisation with 65 members between the ages of 18 an 66 years, who attend the centre daily. Around 60% of the members are from underprivileged communities and are transported daily to and from Aanhouwen with transport provided by Aanhouwen vehicles”, she says, adding, “Tru-Cape shares many of their values such as giving handicapped adults the opportunity to take part in meaningful activities and to socialise; training and developing productive skills; creating an environment where they are accepted and where their quality of life can be improved.”

Tru-Cape’s Quentin Moore, responsible for the sale of South African apples and pears into UK supermarkets and a social committee member, says that Tru-Cape staff got involved in the initiative and soon they had collected many of the items on Aanhouwen’s wish-list. “Tru-Cape also decided to purchase Casual Day stickers from Aanhouwen, that way a percentage of the proceeds could go directly to them. The absolute highlight of the whole initiative was the visit to Aanhouwen. Three of us visited to drop off apples and the items collected amongst staff.  We were humbled by the warm and excited welcome we received,” he says.

Tina Le Roux, a social committee member and on Tru-Cape’s operations team, said that the Aanhouwenners treated them to some beautiful songs, bright smiles and an unabashed joy for life! “We felt very privileged to share Casual Day with them. The members of Aanhouwen have to overcome numerous obstacles everyday to achieve their goals, yet they reminded us how to be thankful,” she says.