With much clapping and singing and a dance show to boot, The UPS Foundation handed over a cheque for R194 000 to the Ithembelihle Lsen School on the East Rand last week. “UPS has a rich tradition of being involved with communities all over the world and giving back is very much a part of our ethos,” said Jeff McCorstin, UPS managing director of freight forwarding for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who was on hand for the event. UPS South Africa has been involved with the school, which cares for some 170 children with disabilities, since 2005 and employees often volunteer their time. According to managing director Paul Horsfall, last year some 86% of UPS employees in South Africa were involved in volunteer work across the country. He said the dedication and commitment of staff to the school had led to the involvement of The UPS Foundation, the company’s international charitable arm. Accepting the money, school principal Leonore Ngozi said they were planning to expand and upgrade the existing health and wellness centre. The Ithembelihle Lsen School is the only school for children with severe disability in the area. “We only have one room dedicated to the physical and speech therapy of the pupils. This money will be used to upgrade those facilities,” said Ngozi. “These children have been granted yet another chance to become holistic members of society today. UPS sees rainbows in these children and that is very special.”
