Monday 15 August 2016

Growthpoint Gems helps young talent shine through educational grants

Quality education has a key role to play in South Africa's future
prosperity. Now, a new initiative by Growthpoint Properties aims to
ensure smart youngsters reach their full potential and are well
equipped for a better, brighter future.

Developed as part of Growthpoint Properties' corporate social
investment programme, Growthpoint Gems creates value for lower-earning
employees and their immediate families by providing educational grants
to their children at primary, secondary or tertiary level.

The carefully developed programme which was launched this month will
provide Growthpoint staff's families with the support they need for
their children to thrive with a great education, creating tomorrow's
leaders and opening doors that may otherwise have remained closed.

Norbert Sasse, CEO of Growthpoint Properties, says: "At Growthpoint,
we believe corporate social investment starts at home, in the
communities where our staff live and where our business has an impact.
By ensuring bursaries are made available for their children, we can
add value to the lives of our employees with Growthpoint Gems. It
recognises the importance of a good education, yet also considers the
challenges many families face because of the escalating costs of
schooling and tertiary education in South Africa."

Shawn Theunissen, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility for
Growthpoint explains that, through the programme, primary and
secondary school education bursaries will be awarded to learners from
Grade 4 and up. The bursaries will cover costs related to prescribed
school fees, uniforms, stationery and other learning materials. In
addition, life skills, vocational guidance and general support will be
provided where necessary to help learners on their path to success.

While one objective of the Growthpoint Gems initiative is to care for
people by helping families realise their dreams for their children,
another aim is to make a meaningful impact by nurturing education and
enabling young people to contribute to economic growth for a more
prosperous South Africa.

Growthpoint Gems' tertiary education bursaries will be awarded to
students who are currently in grade 12, those that have completed
their secondary schooling and those already at tertiary institutions
studying towards an undergraduate degree or National Diploma.

Importantly, tertiary bursaries are not limited to courses within the
property management and construction management disciplines, allowing
youngsters to follow their own dreams.