Social Contributions Bringing Big Benefits

Bethanie, Western Australia’s most recognised not-for-profit aged care and retirement living provider is making social contributions a focus for 2018, driving activities which are not part of Bethanie’s core business, but contribute greatly to the wellbeing of the community.

The latest impactful contribution was a group of 27 Bethanie staff members who travelled to Cambodia from 2-9 June to take part in a ‘RAW Impact’ project. RAW Impact is an organization that is all about giving a voice to those who have none and creating powerful change in Cambodian Villages.

The trip began in Phnom Penh where they worked at Taskor Village, just across the Mekong River. They then travelled to Kratie Province to get stuck into project work in Ko Ki Village, and finished the trip exploring Siem Reap.

The 27 Bethanie staff members, including Bethanie CEO Chris How, provided help with hands on rural village developments through building and agricultural projects. They also got to visit a variety of tourist sites in Phnom Penh, exploring the famous Angkor Temples in Siem Riep.

Bethanie Mission Manager David van Leen says, “All the staff who went on the trip were so excited to give back to the community, especially making a difference in a way where we can see our mission in action in a tangible way in Cambodia.”

Staff had to cover their own costs for fees and travel expenses and also had to fund raise a minimum of $1,000 each which went into the work on the RAW Impact project. The team were meeting monthly to get prepared and collected additional items such as school books and stationary for the RAW Educate program, as well as bringing Aussie treats such as Vegemite and Tim Tams along.

Bethanie is working with its staff to engage in social contributions via three different areas - practical support, financial support and personnel support. Practical support involves supplying goods or services to individuals or groups, financial support involves fundraising and financial contributions to individuals and groups and personnel support includes volunteering or help given by staff.

Bethanie CEO Chris How comments, “As one of WA’s largest not-for-profit aged care and retirement living providers, we have a responsibility to give back where we can. Given the nature of our business is caring for people, our staff are typically very keen to support any initiative which will better the individual, the Bethanie community and the wider community.  To this end, our staff are instrumental in the delivery of these propositions.

“I am so pleased to say we made a huge impact on the lives of those living in these two villages and also had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Cambodian culture and way of life. It was a privilege to take part in this trip.”

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