Investing in the disadvantaged
STAFF REPORTER
STENDEN South Africa's community development programme received a technological boost recently with the donation of much-needed digital storage and a media player.
Stenden, a branch campus of Stenden University of Applied Science in the Netherlands, conducts a Grand Tour exchange programme for students from the Netherlands campus to come to South Africa and work in community development projects for a semester while continuing their minor studies.
"The sustainability of the community development projects depends on the sustainability of the department itself, and one of the improvements we have been working on is the transfer of project reports from one project group to another,” said Ronald Noppers, a pilot of the Grand Tour programme.
"The donation of an external hard drive and a media player from Western Digital will be invaluable in assisting us with the storage and archiving of project reports, videos and other documents.”
Stenden community development is involved in a number of business development projects as well as social welfare and educational projects throughout the region. The aim of these initiatives is to uplift both individuals and communities, encourage entrepreneurship and assist disadvantaged citizens in various areas of the community.
Business development projects include the Rosehill Market and webshop, the Ikhaya Labantu Arts & Crafts project in Nemato, the Mzamomchie Arts & Crafts project in Kenton-on-Sea, the Robert Veenstra Entrepreneurship Centre in Nemato, Silikamva Bakery in Nemato, Sinothando Clothing in Nemato and Jery Bano Traditional Clothing in Kenton-on-Sea.
Truus Hoeve, manager of EMEAI Channel Marketing for Western Digital Branded Products, said his company was proud to play a part in uplifting previously disadvantaged individuals and communities in Port Alfred.
"This plays a big part in the transformation of our country,” said Hoeve. "Stenden is doing some amazing work by not only being involved in social welfare but by encouraging entrepreneurship and business development, assisting disadvantaged individuals to ensure a better future for themselves and contributing towards the sustainability of the local economy.”
Western Digital (WD) donated two My Passport portable hard drives and a media player to Stenden community development. They provided further assistance in the form of mouse pads and training instructions for the Robert Veenstra Entrepreneurship Centre.
The company also placed an order with Ikhaya Labantu Arts & Crafts to produce handmade key rings with the WD logo.
"This not only provides WD with great give-aways for customers but also provides support for the project in Port Alfred,” said Hoeve.
