Here at Abraham Kriel Childcare, the cost of our water and electricity exceeds the cost of food.

This statement is true in the case of both the budgets of the Langlaagte Campus and the Maria Kloppers Campus. This shocking fact led us to investigate whether we were doing enough to save on water and electricity consumption.

Over the last few years we made considerable investments to enable savings on consumption where possible.

Water and Sewerage:

Comparing the 2011 financial year with the 2012 financial year, we measured a reduction of 17 percent in our water consumption at Langlaagte. This created a cost saving of R191 848 on our water bill and a slightly larger amount on our sewerage bill.

Savings in the following financial year was impressive because it has a cumulative effect. The additional saving of 15 percent on usage saved us R66 979.37 on water and there was a similar saving on sewerage.

We discovered a large leak at our Maria Kloppers campus, but with fine control, impressive savings were made of respectively 43.9 percent and 36.1 percent in the corresponding periods. The impact on our bank balance was less impressive as the increases in unit costs negated some of the savings.

Electricity:

The cost of electricity increased from R0.51 to R0.96 per unit from 2010 to 2013, and unfortunately savings on consumption could not make up for the dramatic increase in costs.

The following table illustrates savings year-on-year with a projection for savings in 2013 based on consumption during the first six months.

The upward pressure of costs for these precious resources remains a challenge. A new cost contributed to this. Lately, the municipality also bills us for property tax, despite our nonprofit organisation (NPO) status. This is currently calculated on 25 percent of the normal rate, but even that is a sizeable sum.

The result:

Despite our savings and thanks to strict control where possible, the cost of municipal services at Langlaagte is projected at R1 543 308 compared to the R913 849 that is allowed for food, at Maria Kloppers. We anticipate that we will pay R509 040 for food, while municipal services will cost R697 255.
Hard to swallow, isn’t it?

– Hilda du Toit is marketing manager at Abraham Kriel Childcare.

Abraham Kriel Childcare was established in 1902 as an orphanage after the South African war. It has evolved into a youth and childcare facility, catering for more than 1 000 children in need. They are cared for through a number of care models according to their needs, on campuses, satellite homes, drop-in centres and in home-based care programmes. It has branched out to provide for the desperate need in Early Childhood Development and Skills Development for youth. For further information contact the marketing manager at (011) 839 3058 or visit www.abrahamkriel.org / http://abrahamkriel.tumblr.com