WHAT WILL YOU BE DOING ON WORKER'S DAY?

"Absolutely nothing," might sound like bliss to those of us in need of a break from work.

But for someone like Jack – who has been unemployed for the last 10 years – it's the most depressing, soul destroying thought.

Despite many promises of work, years of volunteering and countless hours of piece-jobs, Jack has not been able to secure a steady job. Recently, his mom fell ill and Jack has become both caregiver and sole bread winner. You can imagine how hard it is to stay up beat and positive in this situation ... when you don't know where your next few rands will come from and a loved one is depending on you.

So if you're fortunate enough to have a job, please take a moment during the holiday to be thankful for the certainty of money in the bank at the end of the month, and the means to buy food and other essentials.

Then pass this blessing on to someone else – by donating just one hour's worth* of your salary to help get them working.

** If you earn R15000 a month, an hour's pay is about R90; if you earn R25000, an hour's pay is about R145, and if you earn R35000, one hour is worth R205. It's not a lot to ask – but by investing a small portion of your own earnings in our skills training and business development programmes, you could help someone like Jack find a job or start their own business ... and give them hope for the future.

And I'm sure you agree that if there's one thing our country needs right now, it's hope!

With help from caring South Africans like you, we trained over 1000 people last year – in baking and food preparation, egg farming, computer literacy and life skills. Right now we're coaching and mentoring a mobile barber, a perfumer (bottling, labelling and selling copy fragrances), a small social enterprise business supplying corporate gifts and promotional items, and a 'would be' Internet café owner. If you'll join in and support the programme now, we can train even more in the months ahead ... create more successful entrepreneurs ... and help turn the tide of unemployment that's crippling our country.

Be the change. Make your contribution right now, by using the form below. Thank you!