Digital campaign assists Chevrolet CSI projects

The Lulama Primary school kids

click to enlarge

Native offered digital support for the initiative aimed at giving back with heart and soul. The UTE Force is made up of varied and skilled experts, from carpenters and plumbers to electricians and industrial designers, who tackle projects with a fleet of Chevrolet Utilities at their disposal. To support these projects, Native updates the UTE Force site and assists in driving the campaign virally.

Jason Xenopoulos, the CEO of Native, says the projects completed so far have been inspiring. "The latest project was the renovation and a garden installation at Lulama Primary School in Soweto. While we mainly play a behind-the-scenes role, it has been incredible seeing these projects come to life and make a difference in these communities," he says.

Bridgette Bolton, the co-ordinator of the UTE Force projects, says the team achieved each of its objectives in this latest project and got the community involved including the teachers, principal, parents and most importantly the children.

The UTE Force team repairs the roof of Lulama Primary School

click to enlarge

"A stern message"

"During the course of the week, the UTE Force team painted the toilets, window frames and three classrooms and stencilled art on the walls. We filled in the holes in the floors with concrete, tiled classrooms, replaced cupboards and gutters; and installed a booster pump to improve the water pressure. We installed a 5000 litre JoJo tank on its own base with taps and, most excitingly, planted a 300 sq m food garden with a variety of seeds that will yield tasty, healthy winter vegetables. We left a painted mural across the dilapidated outside building's wall," says Bolton.

In addition, the team gave each child a bag made from recycled billboards with a stern message about recycling and littering. "The children also participated in a soccer and cricket clinic which was very well received."

Native spread the word online and various influential bloggers reportedly picked up on the project.

"The online community has responded very positively to these projects and, in their own way, raised awareness. It has been a brilliant initiative by the client. These projects continue to touch lives and we feel privileged to be a part of it all. We are looking forward to the next project and offering our support," concludes Xenopoulos.

For more:

• Chevrolet UTE Force