The P.E.A.C.E. Foundation-Toyota Project utilizes Mindset content for community development

Mindset Network was represented at the launch of the Ga-Matlala School Project on the 12th of March 2009. Mrs Nora Tager and other staff members from the P.E.A.C.E. Foundation launched this project in only three months. Funding was provided by Toyota Tsusho Africa, a subsidiary of the Toyota Corporation and member of the Toyota Group. The Toyota Tsusho Africa MD, Mr Edji Tani, attended the ceremony. In addition, Mr Steinberg, an Israeli ambassador and potential funder, also attended in order to gain insight into the projects run by the P.E.A.C.E. Foundation.

The P.E.A.C.E Foundation

The P.E.A.C.E. Foundation is an NGO which was established in 1993. The organizations objective is to: 'provide disadvantaged communities with the necessary tools and information to bring about their development, and in so doing, improve educational and economic standards in their communities.' In order to meet this objective, the foundation offers education, local economic development planning and management as well as large scale community structural development necessary for improving local quality of life in rural South Africa. A primary focus is the development of the P.E.A.C.E. Development Centres (PDCs). PDCs aim to encourage community development in the domains of Planning, Education, Agriculture, Community and Environment as well as increased communication and integration between the local community and various other stakeholders such as government (all levels), traditional authority, local business and the private sector.

The Ga-Matlala four Schools Project opening ceremony
A large number of community members, including members of the local health department, also attended the ceremony. In addition, various other local dignitaries and government officials made an appearance.

The ceremony was lead dominantly in English and a translator, Mr Matlala, enabled the whole community to participate in the proceedings.

Mr Steinburg described how the Israeli government wants to be involved in the development of rural communities in South Africa, and compared it to the extensive development that has happened across Israel in the past 61 years.

Mr Tani described Toyota Tsusho's philosophy of corporate social responsibility envisages education, human resource development and sustainability. He noted how now it is up to the community, particularly the youth, to take their development in their own hands and utilise the centre to its full capacity.

More details on the project came to light when Mrs Tager, project leader from the P.E.A.C.E. Foundation took to the microphone. Mrs Tager described how the project has greatly benefited the community. Toyota Tsusho had funded the placement of four PCD centers at four local schools. In addition they engaged in structural development which provided electricity, water and toilet facilities for the schools for the first time. She described the impact of the centres as "Imagine yourself lost and on a dark road without a cellphone. This center is the cellphone for the community." During her speech, Mrs Tager emphasised that the educational material provided by Mindset has added great value to the initiative and that she is eager to work with Mindset in future endeavours.

One of the Ga-Matlala PDC is a brick building and is the second largest of those in the four schools project. This centre contains nine computers, each with Mindset material, internet access and other such facilities. The other three schools obtained containers. It was announced that, in joint effort with the University of South Africa (UNISA), this center would be designated as a communication base for prospective UNISA students for six hours every week. The UNISA representative was very interested in the Mindset material and queried whether or not Mindset has tertiary level material available