The IQ Festive Tree

The IQ Business Group shows what the festive season is really about when the company hosts its annual Festive Tree party in aid of children affected by HIV.  The Festive Tree is a day where children are treated to a day filled with fun activities, treats and surprises. IQ employees combine a mixture of energy, management and capital to arrange an event of this magnitude. Over and above their working days, championed by the IQ Foundation (the Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR) arm of the company), employees volunteer extensive time to arrange the day.  Each year the enthusiastic team of volunteers spend months planning an event to outdo the previous year’s efforts and to provide a meaningful difference in the lives of these children.   

While this time of year is generally associated with joy, peace and goodwill, there are many people who feel more alone than ever during the festive season. The Festive Tree is our way of spreading love and Christmas cheer to children who were orphaned because of HIV.

The Festive Tree party is aimed at beneficiaries with whom we have long-term relationships. It is organised and funded by IQ's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) committee, which comprises of IQ employees who volunteer their time to fill a role in one or more of the committee's portfolios, namely Community, Education, Environment, HIV and Animal Welfare. Whilst orphaned and vulnerable children from these organisations enjoy a day of fun with our staff, our DIY team moves in to perform miraculous makeovers of facilities in their communities. 

What makes this single-day year-end event so unique, is the incredible “makeover” component.  In past years, the IQ DIY Dream team has transformed 2 creches, a soup kitchen and a community centre, with a bright lick of paint, much-needed playground and kitchen equipment, vegetable and flower gardens, soft finishing’s and a lot of love and warmth. In 2008 IQ encountered their biggest Festive Tree challenge which was to build a complete set of permanent school buildings, set in green garden settings, to replace the current temporary tent “classroom” and the gazebo-style crèche for Berakah.