As part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, local private companies helped in improving the lives of children in the Boksburg informal settlements.
The companies also provided the children with early childhood development and learning resources.
Colleen Walker from the Wadeville-based Coca-Cola Canners plant, said her organisation feels an obligation to give back to the community and invest in its sustainability.
“Coca-Cola Canners and its employees are committed to making a positive impact in the communities where they live and work.
“Education is particularly close to our hearts, as it is our future, and it is a fundamental human right and vital to achieving economic-growth, increasing income, and sustaining a healthy society,” said Walker.
Coca-Cola Canners also hopes that such initiatives in schools that are located in the poorest communities in the country will help to improve lives, break the cycle of poverty and ensure that all children have control over their destiny.
The company promised that it will continue its association with the informal settlements through the Ukajede Foundation, which supports nine crèches in the informal settlements.
Ukajede is an acronym for five informal settlements, namely Ulana, Kanana, Angelo, Jerusalem and Delmore, all located in Boksburg.
The Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre has adopted the five informal settlements, and has been contributing in the early childhood development and the welfare of the children.
The donation was well received by the school’s principal, Martha Mabele, who believes that a better-educated youth means a better nation.
She urged other businesses to get on-board, and stressed the importance of partnering with various sectors to help uplift the quality of education in the informal settlements.
“If we really help each other, instead of pulling each other down we as the the private and public sector will grow into one nation, and really produce world-class students who we will all be proud of,” added Martha.
Antoinette Lindeque of Carnival Toyota also assisted in providing transport for the visitors to the school on Friday.
According to community leaders in the informal settlements, despite global progress, there are still dozens of primary school-aged children that are not attending school.
The cited reasons why these children do not go to school, include having to walk long distances to get there, the lack of funds for transport, no food, or other more pending responsibilities at home. – @FanieBoksburg
