Facilitated by the Niall Mellon Township Trust, the donation of 4,000 books was distributed amongst eight schools in the struggling township communities of Wallacedene and Khayelitsha on the outskirts of Cape Town. The books were personally delivered by Fiona O’Carroll, Executive Vice President for Innovation and New Ventures, and Samuel Casey Carter, Senior Vice President for Global Corporate Social Responsibility, as the latest effort in a long-term relationship with the Niall Mellon Township Trust.
“HMH is committed at the highest levels to supporting educational outcomes for students through improved teacher effectiveness around the world,” said Samuel Casey Carter. “Today’s donation is just a sign of how much we hope to work with South Africa’s teachers to ensure the success of their students.”
One of the schools which benefited from today’s announcement was the Enkululekweni Primary School in Wallacedene. Originally founded in 1993 within a squatter community in Kraaifontein, the school started out in a disused farm shed and now serves nearly 1200 primary students.
“We are very grateful for this book donation which comes at just the right time,” said Deputy School Principal Mr. S.A. Dubulekweni. “In this poverty stricken township, parents are struggling to put food on the table and clothe learners, so there are always insufficient funds to purchase books. We are always hoping that others will extend their support with much-needed books to grow our library.”
Crystal West, Director of Social Development, Niall Mellon Township Trust, added, “The Niall Mellon Township Trust and Mellon Housing Initiative are immensely appreciative of the partnership we have with HMH. Working with historically disadvantaged and currently under-resourced communities and institutions in South Africa, we are constantly aware of the dire need for educational resources to supplement their meager supplies. Our organization values the opportunity to partner with like-minded corporate companies to facilitate meaningful change.”
In late 2010, HMH announced plans to donate three million books per year to countries throughout the world. The HMH Book Donation Programme encompasses both responsive and proactive donations and is supported by World Vision, Sabre Foundation and First Book.
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With education products and services used by 57 million students throughout all 50 U.S. states and 120 countries, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a global education and learning company. The world's largest provider of materials for pre-K–12 learning, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is leading the way with innovative solutions and approaches to the challenges facing education today. Through curricula excellence coupled with technology innovations and professional services, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt collaborates with school districts, administrators, teachers, parents and students, providing interactive, results-driven learning solutions. Its Educational Consulting Services group works to increase student achievement in underperforming schools by developing, implementing and supporting education transformation through sustained district partnerships. With origins dating back to 1832, the Company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. For more information, visit www.hmhco.com.