CSR initiatives 2022

More than ever, consumers across the world, are urging companies and organisations to be more socially and environmentally aware. For Al Baraka Bank, we believe that our efforts towards sustainability and social development, reflect our values as a company. Below, are our CSR initiatives for 2022., which focus on Education, Economic Empowerment,Poverty Alleviation, Social Development and Sustainability.

EDUCATION
- Association of Muslim Schools
Albaraka Bank congratulated high achieving students of Matric 2021 by sponsoring towards the Association of Muslim Schools. An amount of R10 000 was sponsored to schools in the Gauteng region and R15 000 to schools in KwaZulu Natal.

- Laptop Handover
Albaraka Bank recognised the top three matriculants of Sinevuso Secondary School in Ixopo by awarding them with laptops. Sinevuso Secondary School was adopted by Albaraka Bank since 2014, wherein they have been provided with financial and non-financial support. The pass rate of the matrics have improved from 39 % in 2017 to 76.4 % in 2021.

- Shoe Drive
The Bank & school shoe drive set out to identify some 450 particularly deserving youngsters attending five specifically targeted schools in Durban, Cape Town, and Johannesburg. The Bank presented new shoes to impoverished learners at Durban's Rippon Primary School as part of its drive to assist learners. In addition, the Cape Town and Johannesburg components of the initiative saw learners at Modderdam High School, Intsebenziswano High School, and Cypress Primary School, all in Cape Town, and learners at Johannesburg Sithandile Michaels Foundation benefit from the presentation of brand-new school shoes.

ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT
- REHOP Project
As part of our Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, Al Baraka Bank has partnered with

REHOP -The Rebuilding for Hope and Prosperity Initiative (REHOP), which consists of a coalition of seven Muslim NGOs who have worked jointly with the eThekwini Municipality to rebuild and to upskill the lives of Isipingo’s fruit and vegetable hawkers, who for decades have provided an invaluable and affordable service to the local community. A section of the iconic Isipingo market, area South of Durban, KZN was destroyed in the recent lootings that devastated parts of the province. REHOP responded with quick action in establishing office space in two shipping containers that were delivered on site. This served as temporary offices for those that were petrol bombed and gutted during the unrest. Albaraka Bank sponsored towards the t-shirts and caps, as well as outdoor parasol umbrellas for the traders that participate in the program. An amount of R 21 000 was sponsored towards this initiative.

POVERTY ALLEVIATION

- Winter Warmth Campaign
In an effort to be effective in the lives of some, Al Baraka Bank rolled‐out its 2022 WinterBlanket Drive by partnering with several Non‐Profit Organisations (NPOs), which undertook on behalf of the Bank – the distribution of almost 1 000 warm blankets to the needy living in informal settlements in three regions across the country. In Durban, Al Baraka Bank – working in conjunction with the Darul Ihsan Humanitarian Centre – ensured the provision of some 275 blankets to the needy utilising the RK Khan HIV/AIDS Clinic (150) and Thembilihle Care Centre (125).In Johannesburg, a further 275 bank‐sponsored blankets were distributed by the Roshnee FeedingScheme to the vulnerable in the Ramaphosa Informal Settlement, while another 275 blankets were handed out in Cape Town’s Kampies Informal Settlement by the Fusion Inyameko Foundation on behalf of the Bank.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
- Mandela Day

With Nelson Mandela as a motivating force, The Bank utilised Mandela Day, on 18 July, to cast the spotlight on South Africa’s senior citizens as worthy and deserving members of communities, ensuring their continued relevance in society today Heeding its own Mandela Day call to action, the Bank indulged hundreds of elderly residents of identified care homes in Durban, Cape Town, and Gauteng, with toiletry hampers, teas, and treats, as well as special meals. Bank staff also took time to chat with residents during the course of this year’s Mandela Day The Bank distributed hundreds of hampers, treats and meals to residents of Clare EstateSenior Citizen Association and Natal Settlers Memorial Homes, both in Durban, Lotus Park – assisted by The Garden Social Services – in Gauteng, and Beitul Amaan – assisted by the Fusion Inyameko Foundation – in Cape Town.

SUSTAINABILTY

- Arbor WeekArbor Week, celebrated during the first week of September, is widely regarded as an opportunity forSouth Africans to plant indigenous trees to practically support sustainable environmental management across the country. ‘Greening’ refers to the integrated approach to the planting, care, and management of vegetation in both urban and rural areas as a means of securing benefits for communities.

The Bank embarked on a comprehensive Arbor Week Drive this year, collaboratingwith schools nationally to plant 300 trees, whilst simultaneously encouraging participating schools to undertake awareness activities.In Durban and assisted by Kwesa Environmental Consulting which sourced indigenous
trees and participated in invaluable environmental awareness discussions with learners 100 trees were planted at Phoenix Muslim School, Tshelimnyama Primary Sc hool, and Simla Primary School.
A further 100 trees were planted at EP Bauman Primary School and UJ Metropolitan Acade my, both in Gauteng, while an additional 100 trees were rooted in the grounds of Cape Town’s Al Azhar HighSchool, Alpine Primary School, and Mitchell’s Plain High School, with Fusion Inyameko Foundation

NPC assisting in sourcing appropriate trees there.