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NOVEMBER 2022 VOL.9 ISSUE #11
We Connect launched to help kids thrive in school!
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The multinational Petrochemical giant, Vopak launched the We Connect Foundation programme on Wednesday, October 19. The event was held at the Mountain View High School in Bergsig near Heidelberg, with a special guest from Vopak headquarters in the Netherlands, CEO Dick Rochelle and Managing Director of the South African operation Oliver Naidu. The Executive Mayor, Councillor Mluleki Nkosi welcomed the guests to the Lesedi municipality and has thanked Vopak for their contribution towards growing the local economy. The Global CEO of Vopak, Dick Rochelle said that he is very impressed with the work done at the Lesedi bulk storage plant as he’s visiting the area for the first time. “Vopak established We Connect Foundation was founded in 2016, when Vopak was celebrating its 400 years anniversary. In 2016, we decided to formally launch a foundation that aims to substantially contribute to the communities around the World that we operate in across 23 countries,” Rochelle explained.
We Connect is a worldwide programme by Vopak, which aims to empower young people in the communities near Vopak locations and connect them to the world. In the Lesedi Municipality, a bulk fuel storage plant has been built and is fully operational located in Jameson Park. Vopak has partnered with the local youth development non-profit organization, Mechack Thabudi Foundation, to implement the We Connect programme in the area. The first set of beneficiaries were learners from Mountain View High School. The Grade 11 and Matric learners were exposed to resources which allows them to effectively learn S.T.E.M subjects (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics), preparing them for the upcoming final exams. Overall the We Connect programme aims to boost the school’s matric pass rate, which currently stands at 69.4%. As the world has moved steadily towards digitization, about 50 learners will be equipped with computer literacy skills that will enable them
to choose tech-savvy careers in the Information Communications & Technology (ICT) space. Other activities included tools to cope with psycho, social and behavioral issues that affect the academic performance, assisting learners for early tertiary application, reducing absenteeism and promote classroom participation. Mrs Maboe, principal of Mountainview High School thanked the Vopak We Connect programme for its positive impact in the academic performance of the learners.
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Vopak Global CEO Dick Rochelle speaking at the We Connect launch in Heidelberg.
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