Non-profit organisation, Topsy Foundation has been awarded R50 000 as part of Standard Bank’s Your Next Million gameshow.
The show, which takes place each week, gives contestants the opportunity to win R1 million. In addition, the contestant which answers a question correctly in the fastest time will be able to select an organisation to receive a R50 000 donation.
Sarah du Toit, the development manager for the foundation, said that the donation had come as a shock but would be a wonderful contribution to the foundation. Based in Bryanston, the foundation provides outreach programmes to communities in Mpumalanga. Topsy operates in the Gert Sibande district in the southern part of the province where there are high rates of unemployment, HIV and low education and skills levels.
Topsy was started in 2000 and has provided assistance to the community in various ways, however, more recently it has focused on early childhood development (ECD).
Du Toit said that Topsy helps about 2 600 children each month. “We partner with about 30 ECD centres and offer them support through training. Many of the women who start off at the centres have very little [skills].”
She added that while these centres are often places of safety for young children, they do not provide a lot of stimulation for young minds. Aside from training teachers, Topsy also provides food gardens, health check-ups and a Play and Learn Centre.
“The Play and Learn Centre is sort of like a toy library. Centres are given access and about 60 learners visit each day, which provides them with educational toys, as many of the centres are under-resourced.”
Tinyiko Mageza, head of marketing for Retail & Business Banking at Standard Bank added, “As the bank committed to moving Africa forward, Standard Bank realises it needs to change people’s lives for the better.”
Details: Topsy Foundation 011 709 6806.
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