In a drive to uplift the education level of pupils at South African schools, Bytes Document Solutions has donated R3 million through its Adopt a School project. The ongoing project aims to benefit 5 000 community members.
Bytes Document Solutions, the sole distributor of Xerox products in 25 sub-Saharan countries, created the Adopt a School project in 1994. It began a computer literacy project at five schools in rural KwaZulu-Natal a year ago.
The project was recently concluded; it embraced the building of three multimedia centres, a science laboratory and two school kitchens. The kitchens are to help feed Aids orphans between the ages of six and 14.
"The science laboratory was completely refurbished and is now fully equipped, with testing apparatus, desks and stools, skeletons and books," says Yolisa Tashe, socio economic development manager at Bytes Document Solutions.
"The three multimedia centres have 45 new and 50 refurbished computers that are all networked to servers, Xerox multifunctional machines, furniture, air-conditioners and alarm systems. Being a company that is involved in IT, we were passionate about improving the computer literacy standards at these schools, as they are located in one of the poorest regions in South Africa," says Tashe.
Three of the schools - Verdriet Primary School, Lethukuthula Primary School and Phathakahle High School - are in the Amajuba district, and the last two - Mhlumba Primary School and Fundokuhle High School - are in the Umzinyathi district.
Bytes Document Solutions' Adopt a School projects have had a profound impact on educating schoolchildren. One high school that has been involved from the beginning raised its matric pass rate level from 49% to 82%.
Share
As the authorised Xerox distributor to 24 sub-Saharan countries, Bytes Document Solutions, previously known as Xerox South Africa, is engaged in the marketing and servicing of the complete range of Xerox document equipment, software, solutions and services, and operating through an extensive network of distributors, dealers, concessionaires and channel partners. With black economic empowerment partner Kagiso Trust owning a 27% stake of the business, it is a wholly owned member of the JSE Securities Exchange-listed Bytes Technology Group.
For more information on Bytes Document Solutions and Xerox, visit www.xerox.com/news.
Editorial contacts