SIOC-CDT launches dignity programme 

Thabazimbi/Northam -The SIOC Community Development Trust (CDT) has expanded its existing Kanako Social Responsibility Programme to ensure that the hygiene needs of both underprivileged young boys and girls are taken care of across its beneficiary community schools. 

Launched in early 2023, the ‘Dignity Pack Programme’ sees the distribution of dignity packs to learners of both genders. Each dignity pack comprises of bath soaps, roll-on deodorant, body spray, a face cloth, body lotion, and Vaseline, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shoe polish and a brush. 

The goal is to ensure that, at a minimum, the basic hygiene needs of learners across SIOC beneficiary communities are taken care of so that they, in turn, can focus on their studies and education. 

Piloted this year, this project will initially cater for 26 schools in 2023, distributed evenly across all beneficiary municipalities (five schools per municipal area). 

The process of identifying the recipient schools is done in collaboration with both the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Social Development to ensure that the schools and learners that are most in need are included. While some items will be distributed on a once-off basis, others will be distributed quarterly. Thus far, the first quarter dignity packs have been distributed to schools in Ga-Segonyana, Tsantsabane, Thabazimbi, Gamagara and Joe Morolong. These distributions will be done quarterly to identified kids for the four quarters in 2023. 

A full list of recipient schools is as follows: 

• Joe Morolong: Bogare Primary School (Logaganeng Village), Maduo Primary (Ganap), Gahohuwe Primary (Dithakong), Kegomoditswe High School (Kganwane), Mamasilo Middle School (Madibeng), Gakgatsana Primary (Kamden)
• Gamagara: Maikaelelo Primary School (Olifantshoek), Deben Primary (Deben), Noord-Kaap Primêre Skool (Olifantshoek), Sishen Intermediate (Sishen), Sishen Primary School (Kathu) 
• Ga-Segonyana: Iketleletso Middle School (Mothibistad), Rearata Primary School (Vergenoeg), Sedibeng Primary School (Sedibeng, Batlharos), Mapoteng Primary School (Mapoteng), Wrenchville Primary School (Wrenchville). 
• Tsantsabane: HTT Bidi Memorial School (Boichoko), Postdene Primary School (Postdene), Refentse Primary School (Groenwater), Khosis Primary School (Jenn Haven), Agang Thuto Primary (Skyfontein). 
• Thabazimbi: Thabakhibidu Primary School (Rooiberg), Naletsana Combined School (Koedoeskop), Krause Primary (Northam), Northam Comprehensive (Northam), Laerskool Leeupoort (Leeupoort). 

SIOC-CDT, press release extracts, July 2023.