The SUEZ Foundation in South Africa
Valued Citizens Initiative
In this country that still bears the stigma of apartheid and where domestic violence is a daily occurrence, 70% of children from 9 to 12 years of age do not know the meaning of the word “citizen.” Therefore, it was urgent and vital that such values as respect, tolerance, love, and attention be inculcated among children, particularly those from the lower income neighborhoods.
Moreover, to provide them a peaceful future, giving them the means to become aware of and understand more complicated concepts like citizenship, democracy, and social justice was essential. Carole Podetti, a French citizen living in South Africa, wanted to help South African authorities restore civic and democratic values in educational institutions, from primary school through high school.
In 2001 she founded the "Valued Citizens Initiative," a non-profit association whose objective is to improve the educational system’s effectiveness. Her objective of creating an environment favoring mutual respect and a personal sense of responsibility has been achieved.
The initiative has also had the effect of preventing a rise of violence and criminality. In fact, 84% of students agree in saying no to drugs and 76% feel they have a stake in the fight against criminality. Finally, to appreciate that respect for the environment is not a vain concept all that is needed is a visit to well-maintained schools untouched by graffiti.
And tomorrow? Because education is the cornerstone of every society, SUEZ Foundation is maintaining its support for this exemplary initiative which serves one of its motivating principles: helping disadvantaged children.
The François-Xavier Bagnoud Association
Every 15 seconds, somewhere in the world, a child loses one of his or her parents to AIDS.
South Africa has some 5.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS, more persons than any other country in the world. The pandemic has already created hundreds of millions of orphans and vulnerable children in the country.
Since 2006, the SUEZ Foundation has supported an after-school program for AIDS orphans and HIV-infected children. The program was established by the François-Xavier Bagnoud Association in connection with a community development program in the South African townships of Soweto, Alexandra, and Witbank.
