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What
The Rotary Districts of Southern Africa through the Study Buddy Campaign are bringing writing desks to disadvantaged children in schools lacking proper infrastructure.
With an estimated 95+ million children in subSaharan Africa affected by classroom desk shortages, the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu initiated the campaign with the key mission to provision 20 million lapdesks to African school children by 2025. His vision has seen over 2 million desks distributed which has a direct, ongoing and extremely positive impact on the development of the child’s literacy development and academic performance. A Study Buddy desk, with its educational material, provides children in need with a mobile, steady and stable writing surface, enabling an immediate, lasting and positive impact on the beneficiary child’s literacy development and overall academic performance.
Who
What began as a powerful partnership between the Rotary Districts of Southern Africa and the Desmond Tutu TutuDesk Campaign has grown into Study Buddy. This bold, independent movement brings together a passionate worldwide network of Rotarians and international sponsors. At its heart is Thandeka TutuGxashe, eldest daughter of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who continues her father’s legacy of advancing dignity, learning, and opportunity for every child.
Why
The project has its genesis as part of the Centennial Celebration of Rotary in Africa in 2021. But we see it as more than that. We see a long term initiative where Rotarians, through the Study Buddy Campaign can drive Rotary’s area of focus “Supporting Education”. This focus aims to strengthen the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and help increase adult literacy.
It is one of Rotary’s seven areas of focus, covering humanitarian activities.
How
The project has three distinct initiatives. Rotarians in the Rotary Districts of Southern Africa and worldwide donate either individually, as a club, or as a District. The second is a targeted approach to sponsors, corporate, Districts and clubs for 1,000 Study Buddy desks or more, each with their branding. Tax benefits are possible in South Africa and the USA. The third is a crowdfunding approach using multiple social media platforms. District Grants are also a possible source of funding.
Where
The Study Buddy Campaign focusses on under resourced schools in Southern Africa and beyond. As more Districts in Africa join the program, so the reach of the program will be extended.
About
Study Buddy desks are made from a high grade, child safe, proprietary polymer that, unlike other plastics, won’t shatter if dropped. They are locally produced in South Africa and the polymer accepts printing that is durable and wear resistant. This makes it ideal for imprinting educational and social messaging, as well as corporate branding. A Study Buddy weighs under a kilogram and rests comfortably and securely on the learners laps, providing them with an even, steady surface to write on, whether they are sitting on a chair or on the floor. The Study Buddy desks are issued to the school for control and allocation. With the cutout handle, they can be easily carried home and used for doing homework and projects.
Distribution
Distribution to schools within South Africa takes place through the production partners of the Study Buddy desks. Distribution to other countries in Africa uses commercial channels with distribution by local Rotary Clubs.
When
The project commenced in February 2020 and has become a springboard for other Rotary Districts to join in the project with funding from the USA, Australia, United Kingdom and Japan and South Korea. To date, over 11,000 desks have been produced and distributed to schools.
Printing & Branding
The educational elements on the desk have undergone constant refinement, focussing on primary school learners. Our aim is to facilitate a basic grounding in pronunciation, reading, writing and arithmetic as well as to stimulate the enquiring mind. A small area has been allocated for Rotary District or sponsor branding as appropriate. Double sided printing is possible at an additional cost.
For more information, please contact:
PDG Francis Callard
ph: +27 83 283 1593 | email: franciscallard@tutudesk.org