Bank Windhoek launches the 2019 Cancer Apple Project

Themed 'More than an apple. It's a fruit of hope', the selling of apples will start on Monday, 1 July until Wednesday, 31 July 2019. The price for an apple remains at N$5.

In 2018 the project distributed 760 000 apples, which generated an amount of N$3 million, which was handed over to CAN. The funds raised enabled the association to continue delivering on its mandate of fighting cancer in Namibia.

The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project was recognised as one of 17 global projects for the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) International Award for “Innovative Fundraising Models" for this exemplary approach on co-operative ways in which to help fight cancer in local communities.

Between 1 March 2018 - 28 February 2019, CAN screened 3 778 women for cervical cancer, referred 1 083 females and 31 confirmed cervical cancer cases were treated in all 14 regions. More than 4 500 clinical breast examinations were conducted. A total of 788 men were screened for prostate cancer, of which 54 were referred and 17 prostate cancer diagnosis confirmed.

Bank Windhoek's Managing Director, Baronice Hans, said: “Investing in the communities in which Bank Windhoek operates is a strategic objective of the Bank and this particular project has cemented our commitment to the Namibian society in the health sector."

School involvement

The Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project will donate cash prizes to the value of N$60 000 to the Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Combined Schools that order the most apples per learner. In addition, Maerua SuperSpar will sponsors stationery vouchers to the value of N$5 000 each to the four schools who achieved first place in their category.  School sales will start on Monday, 1 July 2019 and concludes on Wednesday, 31 July 2019.

To level the field among competing schools, the average between the number of apples ordered and the number of learners at a school will be calculated by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In 2018 more than 600 Namibian schools participated.

Staff fundraising efforts

Another component to the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project is the Staff Entrepreneurial Challenge, which tasks each Branch and Department to come up with reasonable ways of raising capital from a specific amount received from the Bank's Social Investment Fund. The challenge concludes on Monday, 30 September 2019. Funds generated from this challenge are handed over to CAN.

Bank Windhoek customers are encouraged to support the Bank's Branches and Departments in their initiatives to raise money for the Project. Posters will be placed in the Branches/Departments to indicate where, when and what they will do to raise money in support of the Apple Project.

Project Partners

• Namibia Fresh Produce - Fruit and Veg City: Costing and sourcing of apples from South Africa.
• Nampost Couriers and FP Du Toit Transport: Free distribution of apples throughout Namibia.
• Safari Hotels: Accommodation of representatives from the winning schools outside Windhoek.
• PwC: Free result audits of the school competitions.
• JayLo Productions: Availing of sound equipment at no cost for events during the Project.
• PayToday Namibia: Will allow the public and non-Bank Windhoek customers to donate funds towards the Bank Windhoek Cancer Apple Project using their websites.
• Solitaire Press: Collaborated with the project by reducing all printing costs.
• NBC Radio Services: Broadcasts to create awareness across the local vernacular services.
• Maerua SuperSpar: Stationery vouchers to the value of N$5 000 each to the four schools who achieved first place in their category.