Supported by TATA International Africa, the Bridging for Life programme has assisted more than 70% of learners who participated in the Valued Citizen Initiative (VCI) to further their education.

The Bridging for Life programme was established in 2010 under the VCI, an NGO accredited by the Gauteng Department of Higher Education and Training, with the aim to develop citizenship education in public schools.

Bridging for Life is a two-year extra-curriculum programme, customised for grade 11 and grade 12 learners. According to the programme, it has proven its effectiveness over the years in assisting learners through the transition from high school to institutions of higher learning.

Its objective is to equip learners with lifelong skills such as:
  • communication skills
  • emotional intelligence
  • self-discipline
  • leadership skills
  • problem-solving
  • decision-making skills
  • personal and career development planning
  • courage and self-confidence, and
  • budgeting.
TATA International has supported the Bridging for Life Programme for more than seven years and has previously donated books to grade 12 learners from Alexandra High School, such as:
  • mathematic guides
  • dictionaries
  • encyclopaedias, and
  • motivational books.
TATA says that, based on the success of the programme, it has committed itself to supporting this initiative for the next two years.

The schools that will be supported in 2022 and 2023 are:
  • Cosmo City Secondary School, and
  • Emadwaleni High School.
"As part of our philosophy of giving back to society many times over, TATA International aims to do business in a manner that elevates leaders in the communities we work in through education and promoting the social and economic development of local communities," says Len Brand, CEO of TATA International Africa.

"Our objective is to help increase the number of young people prepared to take up leadership roles in business, government and civil society. We are committed to empowering and transforming lives through education, which is one of the key components of the TATA business values and its belief system," adds Brand.

Founder of VCI Carole Podetti Ngono says that she is passionate about improving the productive capacity and quality of learning institutions and established the VCI in 2001. Through the Bridging for Life programme, 65% of learners who participate in the programme have completed degrees in a tertiary institute.

"We are committed to developing dedicated educators, social workers, parents and ethical leaders as role models to ensure the growth in our communities and a continuous improvement of our economy. We believe initiatives such as these will bring about a prosperous future for South Africa," concludes Ngono.

For more information, visit www.tatainternational.com. You can also TATA International Africa on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.