Changing lives in rural Mtwalume
By the end of this month, a new digital classroom will be open at Thanda, a non-profit.
Thanda, a non-profit community-based organisation in Mtwalume, together with Beiersdorf brands, NIVEA, Eucerin, Labello, and Elastoplast has brought benefits to thousands of people in the Mtwalume area through their partnership.
The organisation is known for empowering people to create positive change in individuals and communities through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Back in 2015, the the Beiersdorf and Thanda relationship began when NIVEA partnered with Thanda to build an early childhood development (ECD) centre, with a view to offering better opportunities for future generations from the underprivileged rural area of Mtwalume. The Thanda ECD Centre was then completed in 2017.
Last week, Vincent Warnery, Global Beiersdorf (NIVEA) CEO and Ramon A Mirt, member of the Executive Board, Beiersdorf AG paid Thanda a visit.
They explained that last year, Beiersdorf embarked on a unique two-year project to uplift and empower girls in vulnerable situations in the community. Since its inception in February 2022, the lives of over 400 young girls have been positively impacted.
“We are pleased with the Thanda partnership and their alignment with Beiersdorf Global values, which have been crucial to the success of the programmes we have been involved in, including fresh water supply, sustainable agriculture, and immediate short-term access to food,” says Godwin Harrison, the local Managing Director of Beiersdorf.
It was also announced that by the end of this month, the new digital classroom will be open where the girls will have access to laptops and tablets to embark on their first digital journey.
The ECD’s impact on the community has been significant, with children being educated through ECD programmes, children with disabilities receiving education and therapy support as well as thousands of children (aged 7 to 14) participating in after school support programmes facilitated by Thanda educators.
Three years ago, Beiersdorf also provided financial relief to Thanda to support the local needs of the rural parts of Mtwalume during the pandemic.
The programme that has been developed with Thanda through the partnership and funding, addresses some of the most critical socio-economic crisis areas in South Africa. This includes the lack of early childhood development and education, food and water access, nutrition for early brain development, child protection and safety, mental/physical/social well-being of the youth, and the lack of employment. The programme incorporates various environmentally-friendly practices, such as the use of solar power, water-harvesting, biodigester, recycling and building resilience through soil carbon sequestration, as part of the organic farming initiative.
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