NIVEA Cares for Family in South Africa

NIVEA supports families in need around the world through the initiative “NIVEA cares for family”– and our employees play an important role. By setting up internal fundraisers, social team days and other activities, we – as one, worldwide team – show that this commitment is personal to every single one of us.

As part of this global commitment to “take care beyond skincare”, representatives from NIVEA recently visited a community center in rural Kwazulu Natal established by the non-profit organization Thanda. In addition to other support for the center, the South African team is funding the development of an Early Childhood Development (ECD) center. The ECD program provides all-day educational activities adapted to the developmental needs of children under 5 years and provides the little learners with three meals each day to ensure that they are well-nourished and ready to learn. Thanda had already been running a successful after school program for older children in the area, as well as providing a safe space to play and learn, when community members identified a need for an ECD Centre. That is why, NIVEA stepped in to help and made a commitment to work with Thanda to build a new facility by 2017.

During the visit our Beiersdorf team – accompanied by the mascot “Ray, the penguin” – enthusiastically tackled the tasks of converting a storeroom into a science lab and planting fruit trees. Each child received a party pack and a personalized gift addressed to them. In many cases the only Christmas present they would receive.

The joy could not just be seen in the eyes of the little ones, also our colleagues from NIVEA were visibly moved. Tarren Benson, Sales Manager at Beiersdorf, said “I have never worked in a company that actually acts on its values. I felt deeply gratified and humbled.”

The engagement of our employees in Thanda’s community center is only one part of NIVEA’s social commitment around the globe. By the end of 2015, 38 countries had already set up local family strengthening projects as part of “NIVEA cares for family” – a tremendous achievement that we fully intend to build on!