Port Elizabeth, South Africa: HIV/Aids awareness
In South Africa, Umicore is running a long-term campaign to create awareness of the HIV/Aids virus amongst its employees. This is why they support Aids Haven, a home for children who are living with HIV or have lost their parents due to the virus. Employees are free to visit the childrens’ home and talk to their carers.
Since 2006 Umicore has also organised the annual World Aids Event, and each year the focus is on a different theme. In December 2009, the topic was “responsibility”, meaning that each individual should take the necessary precautions to prevent the spread of the virus.
The campaign gets a lot of support from the employees, who recognise the necessity of such awareness actions. They find they are now better informed and feel they can talk freely about the disease.