Kennards Self-Storage is committed towards making a positive impact in the communities we live in. Throughout the company’s 40-year history, its explosive growth has always been guided by a genuine sense of corporate citizenship.
From simple acts like providing free storage to schools (Neutral Bay Public School, by Kennards Self-Storage in Artarmon, NSW) to donating boxes for non-profit organizations (Footys4All, by Kennards Self-Storage in Maribyrnong, VIC), Kennards is passionate about giving back to the community.
Since last year, Kennards has expanded its scope to include less privileged communities from out of the country. One of the company’s most cherished causes is the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital (AAFH) in Ethiopia, which is the only medical center in the world providing dedicated and free obstetric fistula repair surgery and long term care to women suffering from childbirth injuries.
The AAFH currently manages
• Five strategically located fistula hospitals in Ethiopia
• The Hamlin College of Midwives (THCOM), a midwives training school
• Desta Mender, a long term care facility that also teaches micro-business skills to prepare the women when they rejoin society.
The hospital, the brainchild of world-renowned Sydney-born Dr. Catherine Hamlin and her late husband Dr. Reginald Hamlin, is represented in Australia by Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia), a charitable organization incorporated on 27 July 2012, which raises funds exclusively for the AAFH.
Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) seeks to:
• Provide medical, holistic and rehabilitative treatment and support for Ethiopian women suffering from childbirth injuries – specifically obstetric fistula, the most damaging of all childbirth injuries
• Provide the AAFH with the ability to become the leader in the research, treatment, prevention and care of obstetric fistula
• Increase awareness of the disease, both locally and internationally
• Empower socially disadvantage Ethiopian women to seek greater autonomy
With only 200 obstetricians and gynecologists (including about 100 in the private sector) caring for the Ethiopian population of approximately 94 million, the situation is indeed dire.
Over the last year, Kennards has contributed over 200 Jumbo Heavy Duty Boxes to Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) to facilitate its shipments of essential items to Ethiopia. In the last consignment, Kennards also provided shawls for the patients at the hospital.
For Australians who would like to contribute or volunteer for this noble cause, please visit the Hamlin Fistula Ethiopia (Australia) website (https://hamlin.org.au/how-to-help-2/) for further information.
References:
https://www.facebook.com/Footys4All/posts/433001433488030
http://www.kss.com.au/kblog/hamlin-fistula-ethiopia-helping-build-a-better-future-3766