Siyabonga Children’s Home residents Sage Godfrey (18) and Rosemary Holt (20 are the proud recipients of a brand new laptop donated by Atlas Copco and its social development funding organisation, Tirisano Trust, on 20 January 2017.
Expressing their delight, Sage who plans to study a BCom in Business Management at UJ and Rosemary who is taking a two year part time Professional Secretary course at Damelin said that the laptops will go a long way in assisting them with their future studies.
Atlas Copco approached financial partner, Innovent, towards the end of 2016 for a possible donation of laptops and the company generously responded with the sponsorship of five laptops which were handed over to Patrick Modisane who heads up Tirisano Trust. Part of the South African Mining Charter, Tirisano focuses on the investment and sponsorship of enterprise and social projects based in rural areas within the mining sector where Atlas Copco conducts business.
Typical projects that are considered are enterprises with black controlled shareholding that demonstrate sustainability and show potential to supply business to mining companies. “Most importantly, projects should be sustainable beyond inception,” explains Patrick. “We strongly believe in allowing communities to develop and grow by training and providing them with resources to empower them to be able to take ownership of the project.”
In early 2017 Atlas Copco was approached by a private sponsor who has had previous business dealings with Atlas Copco and who owns the land on which Siyabonga Children’s Home is built, with a request for the sponsorship of laptops to two learners from the home.
“As we were now, thanks to Innovent, in possession of five laptops, we did not hesitate to come to the assistance of this worthy cause,” explains Christopher Kleinhentz, Atlas Copco Business Service Regional Financial Team Leader – Africa.
Founder and House Father of Siyabonga Children’s Home, Manuel Ribeiro and wife Lorraine, who is Centre Manager and House Mother has welcomed and cared for some 130 orphaned, abandoned or neglected children since the home first opened its doors in 2013. Some of the children needed a place of temporary safety while others lived with the Ribeiro’s for many years. Siyabonga was officially registered as a CCYC (Child and Youth Care Centre) under the department of social development in October 2016.
The husband and wife team currently have 27 children between the ages of three and eighteen in their care. “When the children matriculate and reach young adulthood, the home gives them the opportunity to move to a separate house on the property, giving them their independence while still supporting them until they find their feet,” comment the Ribeiro’s.
“This is the second year that Atlas Copco has come on board to assist Siyabonga Children’s Home and it was indeed an honour for us to hand over these laptops,” says Christopher. “This initiative aligns perfectly with Atlas Copco’s steadfast commitment to develop communities where we conduct business through education, our number one priority,”
Sharing the same philosophy of the importance of education for the future of children, Susan Horne, director of Siyabonga Children’s Home and ex-teacher, says that she is education driven. “We are so grateful to Atlas Copco and Tirisano Trust for the donation. These laptops provide Sage and Rosemary with the first stepping stones on their education journey towards establishing successful careers and sustainable futures.”