SHD has plans to address some of Isikelo’s most pressing needs, such as repainting the school as well as the provision of stationary including maths sets, play dough and pencil cases. In addition, SHD will be providing a sick room bed and two first aid kits. The company will also be providing equipment for the science room.

Helen Brown, Head at Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics explains that the company was looking for a school within the Midrand area, where Siemens is based, as part of the company’s commitment to support the community in which it operates.

“Isikelo Primary School is the feeder school for Ingqayizivele High School, which has been ‘adopted’ by Siemens Corporate,” she elaborates. “It therefore made sense for us to enter into what we hope will be a long term relationship with the primary school.” Brown envisages that SHD will be involved with the school for the next five years at least, where they will work together to address Isikelo’s most urgent requirements.

Interestingly enough, Siemens has worked with Isikelo Primary School in the past. “In 2008, Siemens southern Africa donated nine ‘Discovery Boxes’ to the school,” CSI Manager Emily Molefe informs. The boxes provided learners with a practical, enjoyable method of experiencing scientific and technical phenomena in a way that brought Science to life.

For school principal, Daniel Nyaka, the partnership with Siemens gives him access to resources that as a “no fee” school, he would not otherwise have. “Most of our parents are unemployed, and cannot pay school fees. This makes it difficult for us to achieve our objectives.”

Indeed, Nyaka admits that donation from Siemens will allow him to realise his dream as a principal, “to work tirelessly to provide a clean, safe and conducive environment for teaching and learning to take place.”

Isikelo Primary School has 27 educators who teach over one thousand learners from Grade R to Grade Seven. There is an average of 48 children per class. Poverty is rife amongst the children, 30% of whom are HIV/ AIDS orphans and 20% of whom come from child-headed households. The majority of the children live in poverty stricken areas such as Madelakufa, Matikweni and the Winnie Mandela Informal Settlement.

“While SHD’s CSI initiatives tie in with the corporate CSI strategy, we have expanded into HIV/AIDS, as this is a key focus area within our business,” states Brown. As such, in addition to the partnership with Isikelo, SHD has also been involved with homes for HIV/AIDS orphans such as the New Jerusalem Children’s Home, Yenzani Children’s Home and The St. Francis Care Centre. Other key areas of focus for Siemens include public welfare, arts and culture and environmental issues.

The items will be handed over to Isikelo Primary at a brief ceremony planned to take place towards the end of February. Representatives from local government have been invited and Siemens management and staff will attend.

Contact:

Nithasha Soni

Energy Sector – Communications

011 652 2285