Power packs for a new school year

Across South Africa, Grade One learners are about to embark on an important chapter in their learning journey. Anxiety and tears often accompany this new and daunting experience. However, kids who recently graduated from Afrika Tikkun’s Early Childhood Development Programme at Uthando Centre in Braamfontein, will be making their first confident step in style.

On 29 November 2019, to prepare learners for the new year and in keeping with the giving spirit, Synthesis and its employees donated school bags to 93 Grade R learners. Synthesis, a Software, Cloud, Digital and Regtech solutions specialist, is one of Afrika Tikkun’s long-term partners. They run initiatives throughout the year, with this initiative being its largest yet.  

As children spilled the contents of the bright orange bags, they discovered a colourful array of snacks and stationary including pencils, glue sticks, a pencil case, scissors, coloured pencils and a colouring book. Each child also received a pair of black school shoes. Children immediately began to colour in a Thank You picture for Synthesis. This heart-warming image was a reminder of the impact that could be made when giving back is a collective activity (all Synthesis employees were involved in putting together the backpacks for the children the day before the event).

This was Synthesis’s eighth year running a year end charity drive which helped over 120 individuals, including vulnerable families. Synthesis challenged its approximately 120 employees to participate by giving of time, goods, and CBD oil for kids. They responded with exceptional generosity, donating just under R30 000 which Synthesis then matched. “At Synthesis, we believe in elevating and empowering our community and this is an integral part of our culture,” says Synthesis Co-founder and Technical Director, Jake Sheperd.

Both Afrika Tikkun and Synthesis share a commitment to help young people be the best versions of themselves. As Afrika Tikkun works with children in low-income communities, this initiative also relieved parents and guardians of the burden of having to secure these necessities. “Partnerships, such as the one we have with Synthesis, are essential if we are to have a deep and lasting impact on young people and their families,” says Nehwoh Geh, Uthando’s General Manager. “We remain deeply appreciative of everything Synthesis has done for us.” Afrika Tikkun and Synthesis look forward to continuing their collaboration to equip young people with the educational, technological and life skills needed to achieve personal and economic empowerment.