Samsung Electronics SA has entered into a partnership with MTN and Qhubeka that will see the distribution of a locally designed mobile school desk solution known as The Klevr Desk.
The desks will be made available to thousands of schoolchildren in rural communities throughout the country - creating education environments that are conducive to effective learning, says Samsung.
"Samsung is committed to uplifting children throughout the world; under the Samsung Hope for Children Africa programme, our goal is to provide education and medical support to five million children by 2015. This partnership with MTN is just another way we plan on accomplishing this - providing a convenient, smart solution that addresses a key need in South Africa," says Craige Fleischer, director of mobile communications at Samsung Electronics SA.
"One of the challenges faced by learners in underprivileged community schools is that of the unavailability of suitable infrastructure. The Klevr Desk not only improves learners' physical comfort while attending class - which benefits concentration - but also has health benefits, as scholars can now be seated on a chair with a desk, instead of on the floor."
The Klevr Desk initiative is aimed at rewarding people for contributing to specific programmes in their rural communities, such as growing trees or collecting waste. In this instance, community members are encouraged to grow 20 trees from seedlings up to 30cm to 45cm in height in exchange for one Klevr Desk.
Samsung and MTN will provide approximately 8 000 Klevr Desks to these communities as a result of their contribution to such initiatives. To date, 2 000 of these unique educational aids have been distributed, with more handovers planned for the remainder of the year, the companies say.
"We are very delighted to have partnered with Samsung in making such a big change in the lives of these young children. We understand the strain they feel when studying seated on the floor while trying to concentrate at the same time, hence we are giving back by making their studying less of a struggle while we invest in our future leaders," says Eleanor Potter, GM for banded retail channel at MTN SA.
The Klevr Desk can withstand compressive loading of up to 100kg and is designed for learners from Grade 0 through to Grade 7. It has a one-piece design that allows for easy assembly and dismantling. The desk is compact when in use and can fit comfortably in classrooms or other more informal spaces.
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