Bytes Connect has sponsored 20 underprivileged children to play in a hockey skills programme arranged by non-profit organisation Future Families.
This programme is 18 weeks a year, which ultimately focuses on teaching 100 children. The Old Albanian Hockey Club, in partnership with St Albans College, has started a junior hockey club, which Bytes Connect has sponsored for a year.
Future Families renders quality services to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and people infected with and affected by HIV/Aids in South Africa. Its primary area of service is Tshwane and it operates in the areas of Mamelodi, Eersterust, Olievenhoutbosch and Sunnyside, all of which are characterised by impoverished, unskilled and unemployed people.
A division of Bytes Technology Group South Africa, Bytes Connect offers a full range of ICT services, including IP and legacy voice solutions, unified and mobile communications, contact centres, and a comprehensive range of pre- and post-sales services, among others.
“We are privileged to support such a worthy cause,” says Andrew Holden, MD of Bytes Connect.
“We are committed to help building South Africa's future and this is our small contribution in this regard.”
“Future Families thanks Bytes Connect for enabling these children to participate in hockey,” says Penny Learmonth, executive director of Future Families. “Opportunities such as this allow our children to see a life beyond the circumstances in which they find themselves and to build their self-esteem as they master new skills and see their talents emerge.
“Our objective is to keep children in their families, be it a granny-headed family, a youth-headed family or a child-headed family. It also empowers the community to care for the family and create support to ensure that the family can successfully raise balanced children who will become responsible members of the community.
“Hopefully, we will see new hockey stars emerge from this partnership and an Olympic dream happen,” says Learmonth.
She advises that the aspirant players will acquire:
* The technical skills of hockey played on Astroturf, which will allow the children to become more competent and confident;
* The importance of what it means to play in a team;
* A love of the game from an early age; and
* How to have fun while playing in a safe environment.
Future Families is an NGO that works with orphans and vulnerable children who have been affected by HIV/Aids in the Greater Tshwane area. The 6 500 children it works with are visited by a trained care worker once a week. It ensures they attend school, receive assistance with their homework, participate in holiday programmes, and life skills through peer education. It also runs groups for grannies who are raising their grandchildren, single parents and a Mamma Zama programme to enhance parenting skills and bonding between toddlers and their mothers. It has established 220 vegetable gardens in the community.
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