Home News Defy Assists Isabelo to Enrich Local Lives

Defy Assists Isabelo to Enrich Local Lives

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Margo Janse, third from left, accepts the appliance donation from Defy representatives.

Defy has donated various appliances to Margot Janse’s Isabelo charity as part of their campaign to recognise often unsung heroes.

Janse was identified as a hero with a heartfelt cause who needed help. Keeping food fresh and warm was a challenge for the schools supported by Isabelo. That was solved with the delivery of Defy appliances on 25 November 2020. Four grateful schools humbly accepted the donation as Defy, along with the Isabelo team, delivered refrigerators, chest freezers and microwaves to Dalubuhle Primary School, Little Dolphins Early Learning Centre, Kusasa Early Learning Centre and Weseind Primary School.

During Women’s Month, Defy ran the Mzansi Queen campaign to honour women making a significant difference in their communities. Through this campaign, Janse was identified as a significant contributor to her community but more so the needs of young children.

Janse, the chef at The Tasting Room (Le Quartier Français) in Franschhoek for 20 years, started feeding hungry minds in the community in 2009. She started baking and delivering muffins to a small local playschool with 70 hungry children every Friday out of The Tasting Room kitchen. Soon, Janse was able to increase the supply of healthy meals to over 100 children in two different pre-schools, five days a week.

In 2011, Isabelo started feeding warm, nutritious lunches to 185 children across three schools, all prepared by the team at the restaurant. In 2017, Isabelo moved from the restaurant to its own new premises in Franschhoek, which is now the distribution centre for all the food. Isabelo continues to work hard to feed hungry minds. Thus far in 2020 they have provided 40 600 warm lunches and 296 380 healthy breakfasts to the children in the Franschhoek Valley.

Says Janse, “The Isabelo project has proven to be awe-inspiring and has surpassed expectations. I strive to continue and grow this initiative and, with continued support, have no doubt that it will change the lives of more children than we ever imagined possible.”

Defy is no stranger to supporting communities around South Africa through various initiatives. Earlier this year, the company joined forces with the University of Cambridge to develop and produce life-saving mechanical ventilators that are key to battling South Africa’s coronavirus pandemic.

www.isabelocharity.com