Donations benefit a school and its community

Schneider Electric South Africa, in partnership with The Vaal University of Technology Southern Gauteng Science and Technology Park (VUT SGSTP), Habitat for Humanity South Africa, French South African Schneider Electric Education Centre (F'SASEC), and the Community Development Organisation, contributed towards the development of Isiboniso Combined School in Orange Farm, Gauteng.

This project started in 2015 with the donation and installation by Schneider of two ready-made classrooms and solar lighting.

During this week's programme, different speakers took turns to address the learners about the importance of Mandela Day and how they plan to develop the school.

Professor Alexandre Sebastiani felt he felt privileged to be a part of such a wonderful day: "I am because you are. We need each other to keep on moving forward," he said while addressing the learners.

Principal Reginald Nkosi gave an overview of the school's journey and said how proud he is of the organisations that are bringing change. He said it is not only the school that is benefiting, but the community at large as well. "We now have sanitation and running water, and today our learners won't be sleeping on the floor because of the donations. Prof Sebastiani, I thank you," he said emotionally.

After the formal programme, Schneider Electric staff painted the Swap Shop and renovated the bathrooms at the school, while F'SASEC VUT members worked in the vegetable garden and played games with the learners.

Schneider Electric received feedback that their donations have made a huge difference in the level of education and that the number of learners has greatly improved.