AUTOMAKER Volkswagen, under the banner of the Volkswagen for Good initiative, has been funding and supporting children of VWSA employees at school and university. The financial, emotional and educational support given by the Volkswagen for Good initiative has allowed these learners to soar.

The Children of VW Bursary looks at placing children of Volkswagen employees in private schools. Together with the drive and dedication of the learners and the funding they receive, the school learners have gone on to be prefects and school leaders, that have finished academically in the top five of their respective grades.

Learners are not only assisted financially but are supported with extra mathematics and science classes on a Saturday. They are also closely monitored and if they are struggling or there is a drop in their results they are mentored and receive additional classes at their school. Forty Six learners have been supported by this bursary scheme with 22 enrolled in various grades in 2017.

The matric learners are given the opportunity to attend the ISASA academic camp as well as receiving career assessments and University application assistance from TEN (Tsebo Education Network).

The Community Trust Bursars are children of Volkswagen employees who are enrolled at university. The university students have racked up an impressive 26 distinctions in 2016. Five of the students are studying engineering with the balance studying ether Commerce/Accounting or Business Studies.

VWSA in partnership with REAP (Rural Education Access Programme) are sponsoring an additional 15 university students. REAP select the top learners from rural areas of the Eastern Cape and Volkswagen to fund them at university.

"These bursary programmes show real support to the students in the form of finances, emotional support and educational support. It is relatively easy to give money to a student and then send them off on their own to complete their studies. What makes these programmes different is that the team at the Community Trust are involved in the lives of these children, we give them all the tools and support they need to succeed." said Thomas Schaefer, Volkswagen Group South Africa Chairman and Managing Director.