Computershare’s Change a Life initiative funds projects that address poverty and empower communities to effect change around the world.

Since its introduction in 2006, over AU$3 million has been raised from company-matched employee donations, shareholder dividend donations, corporate contributions and fundraising programs.

The major projects supported include:

› Sunrise Children’s Village orphanage project - Cambodia

› Highland Community Education program - Cambodia

› Farmer-managed natural regeneration project - Chad

› Community development project - Laos

› Mobile eye clinic - Ethiopia 

› Educational program - Sri Lanka  

In South Africa, the Change a Life Mike Thomson Trust was established following the murder of Computershare Senior Manager Mike Thomson in 2007. The Trust sponsors grassroots initiatives aimed at combating crime, as well as providing support to victims of crime,with a special focus on children.

Following the success of 2007’s Change a Life Cycle Challenge in Laos, the Change a Life African Cycle Event took place in September 2008 covering 450km and travelling through Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. The major beneficiary of the event was the Mike Thomson Trust.