To celebrate the work and achievements of the Lafarge South Africa Trusts over the past five years, they have published a book titled “Celebrating the Journey: The First Five Years of Creating Change”.

Outgoing Lafarge Country CEO Thierry Legrand notes in the book’s foreword: “The success of South Africa and our success as a local company that employs over 2 000 South Africans is intrinsically linked to the provision of sustainable quality education for the country’s children…. It is a core policy of the international Lafarge Group that, as an industry leader in sustainable development, to be responsible neighbours that help facilitate the improvement of communities in which it operates.”

The trusts’ success can readily be seen in the improved performance of learners involved in their initiatives, something credited to the very hands-on approach of the trusts’ leadership and partners.

The book highlights the trusts’ pioneering commitment to education upliftment, its bursary programme achievement, and its investment in science facilities.

“The trusts took on the daunting challenge of contributing to the improvement of education for the children in South Africa’s impoverished communities,” explains Cheryl Carolus. “We have built relationships with selected partners, including government agencies, who can combine their special skills and resources with those of the trusts. Consequently I confidently look forward to the trusts’ future. I am proud of our positive results thanks to the dedication and unfailing efforts of schools’ leadership and the unique corporate support the trusts receive from Lafarge SA and Sinako Holdings. The best part is that we created replicable models — pioneering support for the visually impaired and implementing whole school development projects. This inspires me and I am honoured to be part of these efforts to make a long-lasting difference.”

Change is most evident in the Bodibe community where the trusts implemented a flagship whole school development project with 11 schools.  The Bodibe Village community has a long-standing association with the Lafarge Lichtenburg cement plant in North West. The project was a culmination of consultations with government, business, tribal councils, local non-profit organisations and other community structures.