Douglas-based Standard Bank employee Gary Cracknell set off for Africa at the weekend to visit a primary school in Uganda which the Bank supports.
Standard Bank’s Offshore Group has partnered Mifumi Primary School since 2013.
Facilities and administration manager Mr Cracknell, 53, will join three colleagues from across the Offshore Group for a week-long trip to Mifumi.
They will take an active part in school life, learn more about the difference that Standard Bank is making and help identify how funds and equipment that the Bank has raised and collected can best benefit the school.
Mr Cracknell said: ‘I have fundraised and collected items for Mifumi since we began supporting the school but I never imagined that I would one day be visiting it, to see for myself how the partnership has helped thousands of children escape poverty and reach their full potential.
‘Standard Bank’s mission is to drive Africa’s growth; I’m fortunate to be going to Mifumi to see that at first hand.’
Mifumi Primary School has around 700 pupils.
In addition to teaching academic subjects, the school trains pupils in music, sports, knitting, weaving and self-defence.
Pupils also receive health screenings and are given a lunch of porridge each day, which for many is often the only meal that they will receive.
Standard Bank’s support to Mifumi has been wide-ranging.
Funds donated by the Bank and raised by staff have brought electricity to the school, they have paid for a satellite link and computers, and they have funded the digging of a bore hole and the building of a dormitory in the school grounds. Standard Bank staff have been fully committed to the Mifumi partnership.
A team of volunteers have visited the school on two occasions and staff from across the Offshore Group have regularly collected items, such as stationery and clothes, that have been sent to the school, thanks to support from DHL.
Engagement from staff has multiplied, with ‘Mifumi Champions’ now in place across all areas of the business.
Chris Till, chief executive Officer of Standard Bank in the Isle of Man, said: ‘I have no doubt that Gary will be a fine ambassador for the Bank and he will return from Uganda full of ideas for how we can support Mifumi Primary School going forward.
‘We received a large number of entries for this visit and it was very clear that a lot of thought and effort had gone into all of the submissions.
‘This clearly illustrates how supportive Standard Bank staff are of the Mifumi partnership. Gary’s visit is part of an ongoing journey that the Bank is fully committed to.’