FFA Chairman announces support for African school kids
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Mr Frank Lowy, AC, today announced a significant initiative to help the education of thousands of African children.
Johannesburg Wednesday 9th June 2010 By Rod Allen
Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Mr Frank Lowy, AC, today announced a significant initiative to help the education of thousands of African children.
Speaking at Mohlakano Primary School in Gauteng near Johannesburg, Mr Lowy said the FFA would spend R1million to buy more than 9000 lap desks for children in the area.
“There are more than 80 million children who have little or no use of a desk in their classrooms and this contribution will help some of them have a better chance of learning at school,” Mr Lowy said.
“Football Federation Australia is committed to working with the Australian Government in development activities and this is a great opportunity to make a difference to the people who are our wonderful hosts for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
“We intend to expand our assistance to the whole of the African continent
“It is important that all major sports organisations use their position in sport to achieve social development outcomes and we take it very seriously.
“FFA intends to continue the social development work we have already done throughout Asia and Oceania and now we are trying to make a difference in Africa while the eyes of football lovers from around the world are focused here on South Africa and on the African continent.”
FFA has joined an existing partnership between the Australian Government and The LapDesk Company to purchase the lap desks that are decorated with numerical and alphabetical learning information, as well as information about Australia.
This year the Australian Government is assisting 25 African Governments to address their countries- education and human resource capacity challenges through a range of initiatives including Australian volunteers, NGO programs and scholarships and through the provision of basic educational supplies such as desks.
Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis applauded FFA for joining the Australian Government in providing basic resources for underprivileged children.
“The Australian Government has been doing some tremendous work in Africa assisting other Governments and communities to address education and other social issues facing children and to support African countries in making progress towards the Millennium Development Goals,” the Minister said.
“It is great to have Football Federation Australia on board helping us make a difference to so many children who deserve to have the best chance of enjoying a productive life.”
This is the first step in a planned broader FFA initiative to help address key development needs in Africa including education and health initiatives.
FFA will be partnering with other effective development organisations in Africa and will be working further with the Australian Government and The LapDesk Company to help address basic education needs in some of the 18 countries in Africa in which the LapDesk Company has networks.
Sport is vital to the well-being and health of people, especially children and youth, and can be used to promote messages around life skills, HIV and AIDS, health and hygiene, tolerance and understanding and education.
Background
A school desk is one of the basic requirements for an effective educational experience.
Classroom desk shortages are not just a rural phenomenon but extend to urban areas due to urban influx and infrastructure shortages.
Through community-level grant schemes, the Australian Government has, in partnership with The Lapdesk Company, provided over 23,000 desks to disadvantaged school children in Mozambique (2,250), South Africa (3,875) and Zimbabwe (17,000).
As a result of a number of years of research, The LapDesk Company developed a portable, ergonomically designed desk as a cost effective means of trying to address the shortage of school desks.
The desk design incorporates learning tools such as the alphabet and times tables; fits neatly on a student's lap, whether they-re seated in a chair, on a bench or on the floor; and is wide enough to accommodate a textbook and a notebook or writing pad.
It can be used at school and at home.
The LapDesk Company has been trading for 5 years, delivered over 600,000 lap desks and has expanded operations to 18 countries in Africa.
Its patron is Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, it has a strategic partnership with the South African Presidency and has numerous corporate sponsors.