Strength through mateship

For Komatsu’s Donald Tinashe Pikitai Hororo, taking part in the Live Your Dream program offered a meaningful way to honour his late father while supporting men in his local community through the Campbelltown Men’s Shed.

Komatsu’s Live Your Dream program gives employees the opportunity to apply for funding to support a community initiative or charity of their choice.

Donald, who is a Cloud Infrastructure Security Engineer based at our Sydney branch, chose the Campbeltown Men’s Shed, an organisation dedicated to improving men’s mental, physical and social wellbeing. Men’s Sheds create a safe, welcoming environment where men can connect, share skills, build friendships and regain a sense of purpose, particularly during times of isolation, retirement, grief or major life change.

“This program gave me a chance to do something that truly matters to me and to help men who might otherwise struggle in silence,” Donald says.

He first discovered the shed at a fundraising day at his local Bunnings. After speaking with members, many of them senior citizens and veterans, he was deeply moved by their stories of resilience, community spirit and mateship.

“All the men involved have such a passion for helping and are full of love and mateship. I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in and support in some way,” Donald says.

Donald completed his dream in November, during Men’s Health Month. Through the LYD grant, he was able to equip the Men’s Shed with the tools needed to run their woodworking, metalworking, gardening and learning programs, as well as new computers, a new printer and photocopier.

Donald says the benefits extend well beyond the equipment.

“As a young man I saw how much my dad struggled after medical retirement. Staying home alone made everything harder for him, but if a Men’s Shed had been available back then, things might have been different,” Donald says.

The organisation expressed overwhelming gratitude for Komatsu’s support.

“My heart was touched with the great, big smiles of these men from a simple gesture. One of them even shed a tear and asked “Why us? What did you see in us?” I couldn’t help it, but I also dropped a tear. I am so grateful that Komatsu gave me this chance to make a difference in these men’s lives.”