Over the years, Alcatel-Lucent, a French global telecommunications equipment company, has continued to touched lives in Africa especially in South and East Africa with its corporate social responsibility projects.
The company’s South Africa team conducts regular employee engagement activities and on Friday, May 30th 2014 they hosted 10 “Bridging for Life” learners from the Ponelopele High School, through the yearly “Take a girl child to work” campaign.
Valued Citizens Initiative’s (VCI) learners had the opportunity to engage with the team and learn about various career paths such as Pre-sales, Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Communication and Marketing. For the “Bridging for Life” learners, it was an opportunity to inquire about the world of work, career potentials in the company and how it plans growth in Africa which is the second largest continent in the world, with rich diversity, culture and challenges.
Mr. Ravin Naidoo, Enterprise Regional Director South & East Africa, delivered an inspirational talk looking at how technology can make people loose themselves. He defined IT as Innovation and Transformation, emphasizing the importance of understanding “Why” you choose this career path and not another one, and the importance of knowing your strengths in order to build from them.
“Alcatel-Lucent South Africa has a long history in terms of corporate social responsibility in the country – Our company and employees’ volunteerism show clearly both our commitment to CSR and our strive to make a sustainable difference by supporting education and youth development programs…. I am very proud of our teams for their continuous and selfless involvement in social change initiatives and we will continue to support employees who contribute their time, skills and generosity to the nonprofit organizations of their choice or to global educational programs funded by the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation” said Nthabiseng Mashilwane, HR Director for Africa, Alcatel-Lucent.
In March 2014, after four years of successful partnership and continuous support, the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation has renewed its confidence in the Bridging For Life programme, supporting two high schools – one in QwaQwa (Free State, rural) and Kopano High School, Lebowakgmo (semi rural- 38Kms from Polokwane) in the Limpopo province.[eap_ad_2]
In East Africa, particularly in Kenya, the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation has partnered the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) to help combat humanitarian crisis, enhance food security and livelihood through sustainable and appropriate technologies, mitigate the impact of climate change through protection of the springs, enhance access to clean and safe drinking water in the community, as well as strengthen and build the capacity of Kajiado branch thereby enhancing the branch volunteers
In 2011, the company made donations to help combat the severe humanitarian crisis devastating East Africa, brought on by the worst drought in some 60 years. In 2012 and 2013 the foundation renewed its support by funding a new programme of KRCS to improve food security and livelihood through climate change adaptation and environmental conservation in Inkisanjani – Loitokitok, Kajiado, by 2016.
The project targets the rural population in Enkaroni Sub-locations, Kuku location in Loitokitok, Kajiado County, on the slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, near the Tanzanian boarder. Once completed, the above components will directly benefit approximately 9,500 people with the irrigation component directly benefiting to more than 40 families.
The KRCS program also supports activities designed to meet the immediate needs of the disadvantaged and rural area affected, including training and innovative techniques and necessary skills to become self sufficient. It helps the local community acquire life skills that will lead to a healthier and more prosperous life.
“We are committed to improve and transform peoples’ lives in the communities we live and work and we hope that individuals and organizations will also support the KRCS in their projects. A volunteer serves others by supporting a cause without expecting anything in return and this is the most efficient way to show solidarity and make a difference” said Tony Wood, Country Senior Officer of Alcatel-Lucent in East Africa. He added: “It was a really enriching moment and experience! It teaches you humility to see some of the obstacles they had to overcome to get out in the community and make their own contribution. I look forward for the next session”.[eap_ad_3]
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