Standard Bank putting smiles on children’s faces

WINDHOEK, Sept. 27 – Over the years Standard Bank has dedicated itself to putting smiles on the faces children who suffer from birth defects such as cleft lip or cleft palate through the Nampharm Foundation Trust.

As such the Bank once again partnered with the foundation, through its corporate social responsibility, by celebrating that partnership on Saturday, 23 September during the foundation’s 8th anniversary.

The celebration was attended by the Foundation’s Patron, former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, the children and families who’ve benefitted from the Foundation, Sponsors, as well as motor cyclists who partook in the fundraising Adventure Ride.

“It really makes me happy to be part of such a noble initiative by Nampharm Foundation Trust, especially as its about helping put a smile on Namibian children born with cleft palates and cleft lips. The joy of seeing a child smile as they undergo this life changing operation is phenomenal,” said Standard Bank’s Acting Head of Marketing, Sigrid Tjijorokisa during the event.

Acknowledging just how detrimental the condition can be to the affected, causing problems with feeding and talking, she commended Nampharm Foundation Trust for bringing new hope to these children and their families.

“Since April this year the Foundation has been able to operate on 19 children, with operations taking place every second week. We believe that our financial contribution will go a long way in making a positive change in the lives of these children as the need to operate on more children increases,” she stressed.

Tjijorokisa also took the opportunity to announce that the Bank would also be doubling its sponsorship to the Foundation.

“We are not in the business of just handing over cheques but we want to form partnerships as well so we plan on working hard to partner with the families of children with cleft lips and cleft palates. As of 2018 we will be doubling our contribution,” Tjijorokisa asserted.

This year the Bank gave a sponsorship of N$120 000.

Former First Lady Pohamba thanked the sponsors and selfless motorbike riders for their commitment to the cause, stressing that their faithfulness and motivation to the cause year on year was highly appreciated.

“These children are the jewel of this project and I am proud to say that since 2009, 84 children have been helped through the foundation. I want to thank the parents for entrusting us with their children’s lives and again thank the sponsors without whom this project would not be possible,” she said. – NDN Staffer