Barloworld Logistics recently commenced its partnership with the Love Trust, a local non-profit organisation established in 2009. The organisation seeks to bring hope to young children in under-resourced communities by providing and supporting values-driven education.
Love Trust’s vision is to develop a generation of leaders by improving the quality of programmes in communities with limited resources, and to promote children’s rights to advance their full cognitive, emotional and physical capabilities. According to the organisation, every journey of hope starts with early childhood development, beginning with the teacher as the central lever for change.
“As a company, we are deeply committed to supporting ongoing learning and education” says Shirley Duma, Human Resources Director at Barloworld Logistics.
“Critically, we understand that quality education is the cornerstone of our society and begins at the grassroots level, far earlier than when someone enters the workplace.
“We believe that true sustainability means that our company’s success should contribute to addressing social challenges and improving quality of life in the communities in which we work and live.”
Moreover, the Love Trust provides SAQA accredited NQF Level 4 training in Early Childhood Development (ECD) to teachers and principals of ECD Centres. The second stage involves support for identified ECD centres, partnering with principals to improve the standard of education.
“We understand that quality education and training are one of the key solutions in solving the country’s unemployment crisis, and forward-looking organisations such as the Love Trust – which aspires to developing successful entrepreneurs through value based education – need to be supported through partnerships with the private sector,” says Duma.
Duma notes that Barloworld Logistics will be supporting the Love Trust’s Teacher’s Academy in Alexandra, where a class of 58 teachers will complete their training in Early Childhood Development.
According to the Love Trust, studies have shown that enthusiastic, ethical, inspiring and informed teachers are one of the most important influences in a young child’s life. The organisation says that teachers who are trained by the Love Trust will continue to operate their own pre-schools in their communities, but that they will now have the correct training, theory and practical experience to run their centre more effectively.
“These teachers are trained to use key child development techniques to ensure that they stimulate the language development, social skills, emotional, cognitive abilities and physical skills of their young students,” adds Duma. “The true impact of such an initiative is exponential because, if 58 teachers educate 20 children a year for five years, thousands of children will enter primary education with the foundation necessary to position themselves for success in their future education.
“We are tremendously excited to be a part of this project, and look forward to supporting the expansion of the Teacher Training Academy and connecting with burgeoning schools in future.”
