As the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) reflects on the year and its successes, the independent industry ombud scheme has played its part by building communities through its various donations.
OSTI has demonstrated that it does not only help consumers with short-term insurance claims, but it also brings possibility to disadvantaged minors and youth.
On 8 March 2022, during the month of human rights, OSTI donated several items to Abraham Kriel Bambanani – a Non-Profit Organisation that cares for traumatized and abused children. The items included essential baby items such as nappies, wipes, formula, and food.
The independent industry ombud scheme also visited the Doulos Care Centre on 23 May 2022. Doulos Care Centre is a home, established 19 years ago for babies & children with HIV/AIDS. The home received a generous donation of clothes, foods, toiletries and non-perishable items. OSTI’s support contributed to the children’s hope for their future.
Furthermore, on 20 July 2022, in the spirit of Mandela Day, OSTI donated essential food and toiletry items to Bula-Mahlo centre in Tembisa. The centre takes care of abandoned and neglected children.
The OSTI CEO, Edite Teixeira-Mckinon expresses the importance of being involved in children development, “Our donations are a way of giving back and providing unwavering support towards children and the youth as they are the future generation of our world. When we make a difference in their lives, they will grow to make a difference in ours.”
To contribute towards child development, OSTI supported the Santa Shoebox Project and pledged 45 boxes of shoes, while the OSTI staff further donated 6 more boxes towards underprivileged children to remind them that they are deserving of Christmas gifts too. The boxes included toys, educational supplies, clothing, underwear, soap, face cloths, toothpaste, toothbrushes, and sweets. The donation of 51 boxes took place at the collection centre in Rosebank Mall on 1 November 2022.
On 7 December 2022, OSTI donated 40 pairs of school shoes, 40 school bags and stationery to Thuto Ke Lesedi in Snake Park Soweto, as preparation for the coming school year.
The donations OSTI continues to make sparks a light of hope and dreams for underprivileged children and youth. Therefore, uplifting them from a tender age teaches them to be resourceful to their communities.
