​As part of media and marketing in the Department of Genetics, special environmental themed days were highlighted to encourage involvement and wellbeing among students. The first of these days was International Charity Day on 5 September, hosted by the Institute for Plant Biotechnology (IPB) in the Department of Genetics. The International Day of Charity was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012 with the prime purpose of raising awareness and provide a common platform for charity related activities all over the world for individuals and volunteer organizations for their own purposes on the local, national and international level.

Although the initial initiative for the day was to collect care boxes for a women's shelter, the overwhelming response from various departments on campus to get involved and donate lead to donations for more than just the women in need. The spirit of giving among our peers was truly inspiring. Many thanks to everyone whose contributions helped to make a difference in the lives of women and men at the Stellenbosch night shelter, and to the girls of the Dorothea Special School in Cloetesville.

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate everyone who assisted in making this donation drive a huge success!