For many non-profits, the unfortunate reality is that awareness usually comes at a cost. Building a reputation as an initiative that people are willing to donate to and become involved with is not only hard work, but hard on limited finances. With this in mind, SamJane Communications is providing a full spectrum of PR and communication services to the FEST Foundation as part of their CSI initiative.
The FEST Foundation is a non-profit company aiming to improve infrastructure in public schools across South Africa’s impoverished communities, and SamJane Communications will be helping them with all of their PR and marketing related communication needs. ‘As a small business in South Africa it is our responsibility to get involved and support those around us who are trying to make the most impact in one of our country’s most under-serviced and forgotten sectors – education,’ said Samantha Robinson, Founder and Managing Partner of SamJane Communications.
‘Education is critical if we have any hope of transforming our country’s economic prospects. When I read about the amazing work the FEST Foundation is doing, I knew without a doubt that this was an initiative we had to be a part of. We are thrilled to be able to use our expertise to elevate awareness of the life-changing work the Foundation is doing.’
Founded in 2020, the FEST Foundation is a project-based non-profit company intent on transforming the unsafe infrastructure at schools that is holding back the potential of tomorrow’s leaders, and violating learners’ rights to dignity, equality, a safe environment and basic education. A staggering 69% of ordinary public school do not have basic libraries and close to 80% do not have laboratories. What is even more shocking, and dangerous, is that out of 23,276 ordinary schools, more than 12,000 still have unlawful pit toilets, more than 5000 do not have a reliable water supply, and over 3500 do not have reliable electricity.
FEST Founder Anwar-Yasser Rassool said, ‘Having to attend school with poor infrastructure severely limits learners’ chances of receiving the essential education needed to unlock their future potential. We can change the reality for thousands of children, but because we are just starting out on our journey we simply don’t have the funds to market our initiative, which in turn means that we can’t reach those who can help us make a difference. We need to bring the future of education to our schools – and we need to start doing it today. With the help of the SamJane team, we can now build awareness of our projects and hopefully get some much needed assistance so that we can start implementing our plans to get children back into safe classrooms.’
The FEST Foundation is currently planning an infrastructure upgrade at Masakhane Tswalepele School that will address and establish a development network for services, buildings and landscapes in order of necessity as funds become available.
‘We are so proud to have the FEST Foundation as our CSI partner for the year because we can see that their projects have the potential to transform schooling for thousands of children. Public and private partnerships are critically needed to save the future workforce of South Africa, and we hope that we can inspire more people to look beyond growing profit, and rather to how they can help to grow our people,’ concluded Robinson.
SAMJANE COMMUNICATION
www.samjane.co.za
