In an effort to extend its social responsibility drive, local ICT distributor, Pinnacle Micro's Port Elizabeth branch has donated 20 new PCs to Dalrose Primary School.
By donating this equipment, Pinnacle Micro is providing opportunities for young learners to develop computer skills and literacy.
Situated in Uitenhage, the school had initially leased three PCs to enhance the education of the students, but due to financial restraints this became too costly and the PCs were eventually returned.
Responsible for the comprehensive education of 1 080 pupils, Dalrose Primary's principal, Rodney Redcliffe, immediately began a drive to find sponsorship of some kind. "We thought we'd hit the jackpot when a large multi-national agreed to donate 20 PCs," he says. "However, this offer was ultimately withdrawn and we'd begun to lose hope when Pinnacle Micro - Port Elizabeth, heard of our plight and saved the day."
Sandi Mackie, Sales Executive - Government at Pinnacle Port Elizabeth, was the primary contact and has run with the initiative to date. "As a company that focuses avidly on the development of skills, Pinnacle Micro aims to make meaningful contributions to the youth of SA. These PCs offer a learning resource to the school and expose the children to current computer technologies.
"During the launch, held recently to laud the initial handover of the PCs, I was approached by many grateful parents who realised how important PC literacy is for their children," she adds.
"As the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow, we realise they must be given every opportunity to play an active and meaningful role in business and society, and computer skills play an integral role in achieving this. We're very privileged and humbled to be able to play a part in the betterment of the children's futures."
Mackie says Pinnacle PE has also helped the school register to receive free Microsoft software, which is offered to all schools within the Department of Education.
As technology-driven companies like Pinnacle Micro often have no use for outdated ICT equipment, they also get involved in refurbishing these items and donating them to non-profit organisations. This offers the organisations access to resources, like e-mail and the Internet, while enabling them to meet the challenges of today's hi-tech world.
Pinnacle Micro has been involved on various levels in assisting schools in achieving their IT objectives and enabling both students and teachers to familiarise themselves with technology.
This is according to Venn Parsonson, divisional director: government, who says the company believes strongly in investing in the youth of South Africa. "Based on this principle, Pinnacle has established a strong social responsibility programme and we identified the goals at Dalrose Primary as being in line with our endeavours of this nature."
Share
Editorial contacts