Education
Some of our major projects in this focus area include:
Beacon of Hope
The Beacon of Hope is an education project that develops promising learners from impoverished communities into future leaders, particularly in areas of Maths and Science. The learners are from grade 8 to grade 12. The Foundation provides financial support for the tuition;
lodging facilities and other requirements of learners in the programme. Qualifying learners from needy and disadvantaged communities were identified in 2006 and were put through a rigorous assessment process. The first intake was in 2007. The first group of matriculants will sit for their exams in 2011.
Rally to Read
Read is an educational trust which undertakes to provide literacy and numeracy to rural schools by means of a rally intervention. The Rally to Read Programme has been very successful in taking reading material to disadvantaged schools, especially in rural areas.. The educators of these schools are also given training on how to make use of the valuable reading material given to them.
Telkom has partnered with Read for three years to support Grade R learners in all provinces except for North West. Telkom also supports a special Rally in Limpopo branded as Telkom Limpopo Grade R Rally.
Central University of Technology (CUT) in Free State
Telkom has partnered with Central University of Technology in the Free State to develop, empower and mentor educators in Science, Technology; English and Maths, (STEM). This programme is targeted at teachers in some primary schools in Mangaung. It is our intention that a similar programme will be extended to other provinces.
ICT Schools Connectivity
To enable improved quality of teaching and learning the Foundation has provided a number of schools with ICT equipment and connectivity,the Foundation is funding connectivity for these schools.
These schools have received different ICT equipment including laptops, interactive whiteboards, printers, etc.
Entrepreneurship Programmes
The Foundation also supports entrepreneurs. In partnership with the University of Johannesburg funding has been made available for training of SMMEs on courses such as Business Management and Computer Literacy
Blue Flag/Emergencies
The Foundation supports a range of emergencies, recently provided aid to Duduza and Ficksburg communities who were struck by Tornado.
5000 blankets were also made available to needy communities in support of a programme initiated by the Former Minister of Communications, Mr. R Padayachie
Lifeline and Childline
The Telkom Foundation believes that children and women are central to society, hence our continuous sponsorship of Lifeline and ChildLine, which serve as platforms for women and children to raise issues and challenges with experienced counsellors across the country.
These organisations have a proud network of telephone counselling centres and other services, offering support to those experiencing emotional distress.
Adopt a Project
As part of our programme to encourage volunteerism and embed a culture of giving; the Foundation encourages Telkom Executives to identify projects in needy communities. The Foundation allocates funding through these Executives to the identified projects. In addition to financial donations, Executives are expected to donate their time, skills and resources and act as patrons to these projects. Some of the projects already supported through this programme include the following:
Below is a list of some projects funded in this category:
- Bethel College in the Eastern Cape supported with fund for transportation of learners, this project was supported by Ms. Pinky Moholi, the Group CEO.
- Renovation and resourcing of a library at the Hillwood Primary School in Cape Town supported by Dr. Andrew Barendse, the Group Executive of Regulatory Affairs.
- Othandweni family care centre in Johannesburg, Soweto provided with funds for training, supported by the MD of Consumer, Mr. Manelisa Mavuso.
- Nazareth house (HIV/AIDS centre) in Johannesburg Yeoville supported by Ms Tirelo Sibisi, the Managing Executive, Human Resources.
- Steve Lewis, Managing Executive adopted Lefika la Botshelo Orphanage OVC Centre in Stinkwater Pretoria, to provide education and training on the children’s rights.
- Telkom employees are also encouraged to give through a programme called Giving from the Heart. A number of projects have been completed with great assistance from staff, including the building of a house in Kagiso; caring for people with HIV and Aids etc.
