Cape Town - To bridge the educational gap, non-profit organisation Lace Up For Change (LU4C) is equipping young children with integral skills such as computer science, believing that early exposure to coding will broaden their horizons and provide job opportunities previously inaccessible.
The NPO launched its “Kids Start Coding” campaign at the Dietrich Moravian Primary School, in Philippi on Wednesday.
NPO founder Faizel Jacobs said the program aims to equip children from socially disadvantaged communities with coding skills.
The organisation has also spearheaded a number of community upliftment projects. Through its Boeber Run and school shoe project, tablet computers were supplied to Talfalah Primary School in Manenberg.
The organisation also hosts an annual sports day, featuring a round robin soccer tournament for learners from Cape Town, Grabouw, and Ceres.
“Three years ago, LU4C, in collaboration with Syntell PTY Ltd, established the first of two computer labs at Dietrich Moravian Primary School in Philippi, followed by a second lab at Eastville Primary School in Mitchells Plain.”
However, he noted that the labs were not fully utilised due to a lack of computer skills.
“To address this, LU4C introduced Computer Based Training Modules covering basic computer hardware, Windows, and Microsoft Office Suite. These labs have since become learning hubs for both students and the broader community,” Jacobs said.
Program facilitator Derrick Kaylor will be bringing 25 years of IT experience to the Kids Start Coding campaign.
“It has always been my passion to ‘pay it forward’ by teaching our future generation to learn code. LU4C and I share a vision to encourage learning and growth through coding,” Kaylor said.
Head of department at Dietrich Moravian Primary School, Grant Pillay, expressed excitement about the potential impact.
“Our school serves the underprivileged farming community in Philippi where children have little or no access to technology. This program will bring new opportunities to our learners,” he said.
Syntell PTY Ltd general manager of revenue systems Zahir Lalla said they would be providing R20 000 for the kickstart of the program.
Corporate collaborations have been welcomed in order to see the expansion of the initiative.
To find out more, contact LU4C via email at [email protected] or 082 882 2567.