GM dealership invests in Lebone Centre

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The Lebone Centre is located in a previously disadvantaged area in Grahamstown and aims to work in partnership with the relevant communities to address the effects of poverty and help children to maximise their potential.

"We have been a motor dealership in this community for thirty years and we have been involved in numerous community projects and sponsorships over the years. But this has been one of the most incredible projects that we have been involved with and our relationship with the staff and children from the Lebone Centre has been fantastic," said Dean Kent, dealer principal at Kenrich Motors.

The centre is home to a pre-school programme, aftercare enrichment (ACE) programme, as well as a comprehensive literacy programme. The ACE programme, an initiative run by the Integrated Community Development Project (ICDP) trust, cares for vulnerable children by providing a nutritional meal and a structured programme after school that focuses on literacy, numeracy, life skills, physical activities and musical development at the Lebone Centre.

Serving vulnerable children

According to Annelise Maritz, Lebone centre manager, the ACE programme serves 20 vulnerable school children aged between seven and 14 years from the community surrounding the centre. Children are identified in consultation with the local schools and Child Welfare, and many of them are in foster homes. "This new multi-purpose classroom has made a huge difference for the children and staff. The classroom provides the children with a space of their own and it will allow us to offer educational programmes that will assist those with developmental delays and help with educational progress at school," said Maritz.

The involvement of Kenrich Motors is part of the national GM Childlife Foundation project that was established in 2010 by GMSA, its dealer network and GMSA Financial Services to improve the lives of children in poor communities. To date, there have been 39 projects completed through the foundation.

Ian Nicholls, vice president of operations at GMSA said the communities in which they operate as a company are very important to them. "The GM Childlife Foundation enables our dealers to give back to the communities in which they do business. We believe we have made a significant difference in the lives of thousands of underprivileged children and we remain committed to continue supporting this wonderful initiative."