Community project enables underprivileged schools to focus on education

Inefficient electricity systems and water wastage

According to Maria Botha, Ripples for Good Founder, inefficient electricity systems and water wastage are two main issues that plaque schools. "The ever increasing costs of both these utilities force schools to spend their annual budgets on repairing worn and damaged infrastructure. By reducing costs associated with electricity and water wastage, we are enabling schools to focus on improved classroom education," Botha said.

Tim Hendon, Chevrolet Brand Manager concurred with Botha adding that children have the right to have access to basic services such as a working lavatory. "We have an obligation to our children to make sure that they are learning in a safe and nurturing environment," he said.

Builders Corporate Social Investment Officer, Nkele Mukhari, noted that all of their stores across KwaZulu-Natal are involved in the implementation of the schools upliftment project, in support of Ripples for Good. "Through this partnership we developed the 'adopt-a-school' initiative whereby we identify and subsequently assist underprivileged schools with their needs. This perfectly complements what we are doing with Ripples for Good and the Ute Force team."

2014 will be the team's biggest year yet

Reaching as far afield as Willowvale, the KwaZulu-Natal project includes the following communities: Empangeni; Richardsbay; Balito; Umhlanga; Riverhorse; Umgeni; Springfield; Hillcrest; Pietermaritzburg; Pinetown; Amanzimtoti; Park Rynie; Marburg; and Kokstad. It commenced on 13 May and ends on 8 June.

The partnership with Chevrolet Ute Force and Builders Warehouse has meant that more than 130 schools have been positively impacted, benefiting over 90,000 learners in total thus far.

With over one hundred community upliftment projects completed in 2013, through the collaboration of Ripples for Good, Builders and the Chevrolet Ute Force initiative, 2014 will be the team's biggest year yet. To date, 27 communities have already benefitted in Gauteng and another 14 ear-marked for KwaZulu-Natal after which Ripples for Good moves to the Eastern Cape working their way back up to the Northern Province, ending in December this year.

In way of Chevrolet's commitment to inspiring the nation to get involved, mini documentaries will continue to be produced by Louis Bolton of BoltonInc for each Ute Force project and uploaded to YouTube. Bridgette Bolton, Ute Force Project Manager pointed out that sharing these experiences is all about paying tribute to the communities, and their goodwill champions, that have welcomed the dedicated team.

Show your support by visiting the Ute Force website where you can like the official Facebook page in order to receive updates or follow the team on Twitter, @chevroletsa using #UTEForce to spread the word.