BIC embarks on an edutainment programme across South Africa
"Giving children the right learning tools can make a significant difference to their lives."
On Thursday, 20 June, the team from South Africa’s most loved pen, BIC, visited Archers College in Horizon as part of their edutainment visits to schools in and around South Africa.
BIC is embarking on a national roadshow, which aims to distribute 1,5 million pens to learners at disadvantaged schools across the country. The roadshow will run under the banner ‘Power Their Potential’.
The team had activities prepared for the learners, from making them colour-in to dancing. The excited learners were treated to a short drama on different careers. They also learnt that ‘If you can dream it, then you can be it.’
Lillian Henderson, the Marketing Director at BIC, said with 55,5 per cent of South Africans living in poverty according to the latest Poverty Trends Report, many parents are forced to prioritise putting food on the table over purchasing school supplies.
“For the children, lack of access to essentials like pens is one of the biggest obstacles to school participation and academic achievement. Our aim, achieved through our annual Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen programme, enables us, through the help of consumers, to distribute pens to make education inclusive for all and promote a culture of lifelong learning,” said Lillian.
BIC has supplied over 8,5 million pens to children since 2011. This is according to Lillian, who said that the children at this year’s beneficiary schools will no longer have to share a pencil or pen; each child will have an equal opportunity to access a key resource to excel in the classroom.
Lillian concluded by saying that their aim is to help young people pursue the opportunities and their talents that will allow them to ‘Power Their Potential’ and future.
Charene Soares, the principal of Archers College, thanked the BIC team for coming to the school and making a difference.
Community members are being urged to show their support by buying any specially marked BIC ‘Buy a Pen, Donate a Pen’ pack. This will help BIC provide the tools the youth need to change their lives.
