My younger sister is currently finishing up a semester studying abroad at the University of Cape Town. During her spring break, which was the last week of March, my family and I paid her a visit.

 

In a nutshell, the trip was amazing. While I would love to sit here and divulge every single detail of it, it’s honestly too much to put into words. The scenery was breathtaking and it seemed like there were endless things to do.  But aside from the luxurious, entertaining aspects of Cape Town, something that really stood out to me was the high level of poverty that exists outside of the city’s large hub of tourism. 

 

Some areas my family and I rode by encompassed large, downtrodden communities— or squatter townships, as the natives call them — in which many impoverished families built shacks to live in and survive. We were told that many of the homes in these townships don’t have heat/air, running water or even electricity. Imagining having to live under those conditions took a huge toll on me. It made me realize the many blessings that I often tend to overlook, such as being able to turn on/off the heat, AC, water and electricity whenever I feel like it.

 

It also inspired me to think of different ways to help people in need. Recently, my family and I sent a large box of toiletries and other necessities to help impoverished families in South Africa, and are brainstorming ways to make this an ongoing initiative.

 

Does your company make it a priority to give back to those in need? If so, what are some things you’ve done? Please share below!