ISACA donate laptops to PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre

ISACA – an association of Information Systems governance professionals – has made a generous donation to PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

The ISACA South Africa (ISACA SA) chapter views commitment to its local CSR initiative as an important element of good corporate governance and sustainability.

During 2014, ISACA SA member and CIO at Appletizer, Vijay Naidoo, saw an opportunity to get involved at the PATCH/Helderberg Child Abuse Centre.

ISACA SA supported the cause given the inherent vulnerability of the younger generation; the pervasive impact of sexual abuse in South Africa regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and economic backgrounds; and the low conviction rate of the offenders who perpetrate this terrible crime.

A site visit followed wherein Naidoo and ISACA SA Western Cape Regional Coordinator Arlene-Lynn Volmink identified many areas in which ISACA SA could assist and get involved. One of the needs identified during the visit included a contribution in the form of some basic IT equipment.

Subsequently, ISACA SA assisted by contributing four laptops at a recent breakfast meeting held last month (June 2015) at D’Aria Function Venue in Durbanville. The laptops are intended for use by doctors or counsellors to expedite the recording of the unfortunate cases of sexual abuse as and when they occur, thereby minimising the effort of an often manual and tedious administrative process.

Ultimately, ISACA’s small contribution will support the free services provided by PATCH to child victims of sexual abuse in the Helderberg area. Volmink was also quoted as saying “This contribution is not intended to be a once-off event. We are hoping to build a long-term relationship with PATCH and get involved in initiatives involving IT education and support to create a lasting impact”.

In a thank you letter from PATCH, Amanda-Lea Jones, Corporate and Community Fundraiser, expressed her gratitude by thanking ISACA SA for what they have done for PATCH and stated “Thank you, we are immensely grateful to ISACA SA and are gratified that you believe in our work enough to support our cause. Thank you for your trust in us.”

Click here to visit PATCH’s website.