Cape Town – South Africa

Together with our colleagues from Lufthansa’s service center in Cape Town (Lufthansa Global Telesales) HelpAlliance has ventured into a new project to help more children from a township to obtain a good education. Our previous project iThemba School Philippi will be followed by the new pre-primary school iThemba School Capricorn.

iThemba School Philippi had become so successful that in 2008 it passed into the hands of the local community, to be continued without further involvement from iThemba and HelpAlliance. Following some intense research for suitable premises we will continue with iThemba by building a new pre-primary school for 75 children in the southern suburbs of Cape Town (near Muizenberg).

Cape Town’s townships are still facing plenty of problems. 70% unemployment, high rates of HIV/AIDS infection as well as alcohol and drug addiction, domestic violence and crime, make them anything but idyllic suburbs and create much misery and many needs. The about 12.000 inhabitants of the Vrygrond (free earth) township next to the Capricorn industrial estate are determined to make amends. They are envisaging a better future for their children through good education. Attending a school does not guarantee a good education. Research has shown that children from townships are left about 2 to 3 years behind their counter-parts. A pre-primary school to provide in particular English language education will help to bridge this gap.

Until January 2010, HelpAlliance and iThemba will build a new pre-primary school for 75 children in Vrygrond/Capricorn with pre-fabricated building modules. iThemba School Capricorn will provide 3 classes for the ages from 3-6 years. Our pre-primary school will not only provide them with a solid educational grounding, but also provide healthy and nutritious meals 3 times a day. Again, this is rare in townships, but next to good care, a basic requirement for success in learning.

In March 2009 the footballers of Lufthansa Sports club Cologne laid a symbolic foundation stone by making the first donation towards iThemba School Capricorn. Building is scheduled to commence in October 2009 to ensure completion in time for the start of the new school year in January 2010.

The support from everyone is overwhelming and a good example for corporate social responsibility.