Engen managing director and CEO Yusa’ Hassan marked the occasion by showing up at the café in person to meet some of the trainees and show off his crazy socks in support of World Down Syndrome Day.
Managing director of Brownies&downieS Wade Schultz is grateful for Engen’s generous support. “The donation will assist us to train these young adults and ready them for workplace employment. Our goal is for people with intellectual disabilities to be given more independence and acceptance through employment opportunities and specialised training,” says Schultz.
Engen’s head of transformation and stakeholder engagement Unathi Magida says the company prides itself on its compassion, especially for marginalised groups, and remains wholeheartedly committed to supporting people with disabilities. "Seeing young people gain relevant work experience, life skills, and hopefully permanent jobs and independence proves that disability is not inability, and we are humbled to be able to contribute to this process," adds Magida.
Explains Schultz: “Nobody knows when Crazy Sock Day first started, but when someone is seen wearing crazy socks, they might be asked why. It is an odd thing after all. This creates the perfect opportunity to open a discussion about Down syndrome with that person, and sow the seeds of acceptance.”
And the reason World Down Syndrome Day is celebrated on the 21st day of the third month? “This is to signify the uniqueness of the triplication of the 21st chromosome, which causes Down Syndrome,” adds Schultz.
