Heart In The Right Place

It’s not just about giving money. These hoteliers roll up their sleeves and join those on the ground to make a difference in their communities. Grace Ma finds out more about the impact-makers

- Grace Ma

Ali McAdam’s childhood is filled with memories of playing with the children at Leliebloem House, a youth care centre and home for vulnerable children, and making decorations for her mother’s fundraisers.

McAdam is the daughter of Liz and Phil Biden, who owns The Royal Portfolio group of properties in South Africa, including the Royal Malewane safari lodge (previously their holiday home), La Residence vineyard hotel and the art-driven The Silo Hotel. She also heads The Royal Portfolio Foundation, established by the Biden family for community and conservation initiatives, which include crèches, schools and care centers like Leliebloem House, as well as wildlife-focused programs, such as the Cape Leopard Trust and the Greater Kruger Animal Protection Unit.

McAdam and her family are among a group of dedicated hotel owners around the world, who not only come up with and contribute financially to the community impact programs of their properties but are also personally involved in them.

A FAMILY LEGACY

“My granny was the ‘godmother’ to one of the dormitories at Leliebloem House,” McAdam says, “She used to visit each child on his or her birthday, taking a present and some sweets for a little celebration party. When she passed away, I took over her role for many years.”

Her aunt started Friends of Child Protection in 2006, making “comfort packs” of soft toys, toiletries (including underwear), snacks and coloring books to ease the trauma abused kids suffer as they endured long hours of questioning at the police station. Since then, volunteers have packed over 62,000 bags for distribution at hospitals, family courts, and abuse prevention and treatment centers in the Western Cape.