In 2018 the Itafos Foundation partnered with UK-based Durbin Plc, one of the world’s leading humanitarian supplies companies, to offer a significant donation of life-saving medication to public and charitable hospitals around Guinea-Bissau in cooperation with the country’s Ministry of Public Health. The medicines include essentials such as antibiotics and critical rehydration solutions and are being distributed for use by thousands of adults and children in hospitals, orphanages and care facilities nationwide. The initiative was carried out under strict supervision and in accordance with tailored protocols established by Guinea-Bissau’s Ministry of Public Health and National Medication Commission.
The Itafos Foundation announced a strategic partnership in summer 2018 with the MTN Foundation. South African corporation MTN is Africa’s largest cellular carrier and one of the continent’s most prolific multinationals. The partnership began with a co-funded visit of specialist doctors to Farim and the surrounding area to provide free consultations and treatment to hundreds of local adults and children. Assisted logistically by Itafos Farim’s local workforce, the medical team undertook 781 consultations, resulting in the treatment of a broad range of diagnoses including 29 emergency procedures for conditions that posed an imminent threat to life. Farim’s health center was also given upgraded equipment as part of the initiative.
The Foundation is undertaking a program of elementary school rehabilitation and equipment in the wider Farim area with the aim to transform the learning environment of young people in the region. Using sustainable local materials and the skills of Itafos Farim employees, who regularly give up their spare time to volunteer, schools across the Farim area are being provided with quality furniture that will help hundreds of young minds to flourish.
This builds on the Foundation’s well-established school lunch programme and cross-community soccer academy initiative, which has been bringing together young girls and boys from diverse religious backgrounds in Farim to learn the values of teamwork, leadership and mutual understanding through the universal medium of soccer.
