Corporate responsibility
Fujitsu makes a difference in your life
For many years this was Fujitsu Services’ commercial slogan aimed at motivating us to continue delivering “that little bit extra” setting our company apart from its competitors in the marketplace. This motto also includes our activities in the community at large.
Fujitsu Services has from the outset adopted the philosophy that our community involvement would not merely involve sporadic donations but also include all members of staff and in fact directed and driven by them.
Initially the programme involved voluntary contributions to a “Reach for a Dream” draw, augmented by the company, which saw many children have their dream come true from this fund.
In 2001, the social responsibility programme was named “Bhekanani” (helping hands) and extended its activities which now include:
The Johannesburg Hospital School
This school is a poorly funded facility aimed at providing basic and remedial lessons to children at the Johannesburg General Hospital . The plight of these children, who include the chronically and terminally ill as well as the abandoned is little known. For the children the school is far more than a learning environment. It offers them a brief escape from their immediate circumstances.
The first phase involved the supply of PCs and printers and loading these with appropriate software for remedial and edutainment programmes. Controlled access to the Internet was also included. After installation, a support and maintenance team of Fujitsu Services volunteers teaches the children and maintains the infrastructure.
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| Jason's first day back at school after transplant | The patient's first experience on the Internet |
Recently the hospital made available a large room, which the Bhekanani team refurbished as an indoor garden complete with wendy-house, plants and toys as a recreational venue for the children that have no access to the outdoors.
Forest Town School - Johannesburg
This school has for many years provided an education environment for children suffering from cerebral palsy and related afflictions. For those pupils whose speech is impaired by the disease, Fujitsu Services has provided the school with high specification workstations running specialised voice software to enable them to communicate.
The handover ceremony, setting up the new computers and the kids show their appreciation
Fujitsu Services also has also supplied a PC literacy centre with Internet access to provide the pupils with ‘a window to the world’ and add another dimension to the impressive creativity the centre has enabled them to develop. The recreation facilities were also given a facelift with new umbrellas and furniture.
Ernest Matlou Primary School – Polokwane
An article in the Sowetan newspaper picturing children at this school being taught in a derelict bus gave rise to the Fujitsu Services Bhekanani initiative becoming involved to build two new classrooms, followed by donations of stationery and financial assistance to those pupils unable to afford the R50 annual tuition fee.
Subsequently a further donation has enabled them to build a multi-purpose hall and hygienic ablution facilities.
In January 2004, Fujitsu Services handed over a further R 60 000 to enable the school to install a borehole, pump and reticulation system to provide the school with running water.
Pictures showing some of the developments over the last 4 years.
The school previously held class in this old bus & the only toilets the school had for the children.
On an ongoing basis, Fujitsu Services staff collect jumble, magazines and books which are all put to good use by the dedicated teaching staff at this inspiring institution that provides for over 1250 pupils from a very poor community.
Isipho Primary School – Soweto
Here again, the team was able to provide and maintain PCs with educational software and Internet access to delight the pupils and staff. Fujitsu Services is truly proud of its dedicated team and the difference they make to it’s social responsibility activities in the community.
Social Responsibility
Fujitsu South Africa views transformation not just as a legal requirement and a business imperative but also as a moral obligation. Therefore, we will extend our activities in this area beyond those required by law, to include social responsibility.
Fujitsu SA has consistently supported supported a number of external project either financially or through the provision of computer equipment, in the fields of education, primary healthcare, housing and community services.
In 2006 Fujitsu SA launched their “Learning Through Experience Programme”, 8 students from the Alexandra Township School and 7 students from King Edward School commenced he programme. For 9 monthhs the students attended sessions within Fujitsu HQ learning technology and business skills whilst setting up their own company. The students named the company Mio Mondo – My World in Italian. After nominating a board of directors and functional managers they commenced a process of deciding on products and services they would sell, over the next 9 months they undertook the following activities:
- Car Washing
- • Monthly Braais
- Valentines Gifts
- Jewellery Making
At the end of 9 months hard work 11 students graduated having raised R5,000 for children’s charities. The programme will commence again in January 2008 and the new students will be joined by 4 successful students from 2006 who will act as advisors to the new intake.
In addition to the significant financial investment made by Fujitsu SA in it’s existing staff, the company fully supports the need for Capacity Building in area’s outside the day to day business requirements. With this in mind, the company is currently involved in identifying activities through which significant contribution can be made to effective capacity building within South Africa.
Fujitsu SA will continue to investigate ways in which it can invest in the greater community in accordance with budget allowances. The responsibility for this investigation lies with the Social Responsibility Committee with final approval for any investment being the responsibility of the Managing Director.
