The Western Cape’s human settlements MEC, Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela, has come out in strong support of Property24.com and Habitat for Humanity’s Clicks for Bricks Facebook challenge. The Clicks for Bricks challenge was launched last month by the real estate search engine and non-profit organisation to build a home with the help of the Property24.com Facebook community.
“I welcome creative initiatives from businesses and NGOs to provide housing solutions for people in need in South Africa and recognise a good fit between Property24.com and Habitat for Humanity. I am very excited about the use of social media platforms like Facebook to drive new solutions for fundraising. I wish the Clicks for Bricks Challenge everything of the best,” he said.
JP Farinha, General Manager at Property24.com, said the Clicks for Bricks initiative was conceptualized by the Property24 team. “Every day we see thousands of people searching for their dream homes on Property24.com but the stark reality is that for so many South Africans, sustainable housing seems like a pipe dream. We came up with the Property24 Clicks for Bricks Challenge as our way of giving back and supporting social change by raising awareness around the housing shortage in South Africa.
“We put together an excellent project team who took the brief from concept to live in a matter of weeks. The result is a fun application with its own identity that portrays the construction stages of the home being built as the target of 18 200 fans draws nearer,” he told TheMediaOnline.
For every “like” that Property24.com receives on its Facebook page, facebook.com/property24, it has pledged to donate R5 towards the R91 000 cost of building a home. The goal is to achieve 18 200 likes, donate R91 000 to Habitat for Humanity South Africa, and then invite members of the page to be part of the building team that constructs the home. Is this Property24.com’s major CSI initiative?
Farinha said Clicks for Bricks Challenge is Property24’s major CSI initiative for the year. “But it’s not over when the target is reached. The house still needs to be built and 75 fans will be invited to volunteer and join the Property24 team in building the house. Photographs and videos will document the progress and will be posted on the Property24 page daily so that all of the fans know that they were involved in making someone’s home a reality,” he explained.
He said Property24 intended to continue it’s close relationship with Habitat for Humanity ”and possibly make Clicks for Bricks an annual event, inviting partners to join the challenge and grow the number of houses that we build. The success of Clicks for Bricks is ultimately dependent on public support so the more ‘Likes’ that the challenge receives the more potential it has to growth in the years to come”.
Readers of the site have embraced the project. “The response has been amazing and many of the comments we have received have been quite overwhelming and truly humbling. It’s wonderful to see how South Africans come out to support social development in our country,” Farinha said
Some comments:
“I heard about this on radio and I think it’s one of the brightest initiative ever to come out of this country.”
“I love and support this initiative 200%. A great idea guys.”
“Come on Facebook friends, let’s see this happening, we CAN make a difference.”
“Willing to help, more bricks equals more homes! Great initiative.”
“Wow this is a wonderful idea. I love it. Come on everyone LET’S BUILD THIS HOME TOGETHER.”
Farinha said that the South African public and the property industry has come together in support of the Clicks For Bricks challenge. “We’ve had support from across the board including estate agents, attorneys, construction companies and even politicians. The challenge doesn’t appeal to any specific niche or occupation, it’s an opportunity for every person to get involved and do their bit for social change in South Africa. “
He said the power of social media is driving the success of the project. As of today, there were 6 137 supporters involved. “To make the challenge a success, we urge all our fans get their friends involved by using the share button to spread the word and to tweet about #clicksforbricks on Twitter. Our fans will ultimately make this home a reality and the success of Clicks for Bricks will be attributed to them.”
To get involved or to track the challenge’s progress, visit www.facebook.com/property24
