WINDHOEK-The Standard Bank Namibia (SBN) recently launched its 17th edition of the new calendar for the Association Of Children with Language, Speech and Hearing Impairments ( CLaSH).
The calendar launch coincided with Deaf Awareness Week in the country.
Themed Let my fingers do the talking the calendar, an A4 size, colourfully depicts the expressive faces of the deaf CLaSH children. SBN contributed N$105 000 towards the production of the 2014 calendar, while some of these funds will be used for the organisation’s outreach activities. “It is heartening to know that the calendar has assisted CLaSH to raise international and local awareness on the needs and services available for hearing impaired children in Namibia. In addition to the calendar, SBN also supports CLaSH’s outreach programmes that are aimed at identifying children with hearing loss at an early stage. Early intervention gives children a better chance towards a successful independent life,” says SBN’s Head of Risk Compliance and Legal, Ehrenfried Meroro, adding that SBN is a firm believer in education and has a responsibility as a good corporate citizen to contribute to skills development, and in this case contribute to a greater plight that is promoting equal access to education, opportunities, services, and training for those with hearing impairments.
During the launch the Director of CLaSH, Heide Beinhauer, expressed her gratitude for the noble investment in the education of children with hearing impairments. “Thank you, SBN. You continue to play an outstanding role amongst our local donors. Not only because you have been one of our most generous supporters over the years but also because you recognise the value of early education and something tangible to encourage and support it. We are deeply grateful for your loyal support,” Beinhauer appreciated.
CLaSH is one of the bank’s Corporate Social Investment (CSI) partners ever since 1998. The latest launch comes in light of the SBN’s continuous CSI initiatives of empowering communities by pledging one percent of its net profit generated by its business operations to CSI.