Civil Engineering December 2021 | Vol 29 No 11

52 December 2021 Civil Engineering W hen the Mohau Child Care Centre, in need of sponsors for appliances, issued a call for assistance, SAICE looked beyond this immediate need and recognised an oppor- tunity to provide guidance and ongoing support on a social level. “These children are deserving of our time. We can’t put a monetary value to the impact of a one-on-one or group conversation in encouraging, providing a sense of worth, instilling confidence and ultimately making a positive impact in the lives of these wonderful children,” says Kuben Govender, member of both the SAICE Information Technology (IT) and Water Divisions and Regional Head at Mariswe. HOW SAICE GOT INVOLVED Govender, who is Chairperson of the SAICE IT Division, identified the centre as a worthy initiative that would benefit from the establishment of a Kids Upliftment Programme (KUP). This received support from the SAICE IT and Water Divisions as well as co-sponsor Mariswe. Discussions between the two SAICE divisions resulted in a few good Samaritans (KUPsamaritans) volunteering their time, and discussions commenced with Mohau Centre Manager, Esther Jaca, to establish the needs of the children. WHAT IS KUP AND HOW WAS IT CREATED? KUP was founded by the SAICE IT Division Committee to create purposeful social programmes for children in need. There are many existing programmes intended to draw the attention of high school graduates to civil engineering careers. SAICE also has programmes such as SAICE Academy and SAICE Connect to assist in developing young graduates, providing a platform for mentorship as well as assisting recruiters and candidates seeking employment. The IT Division believes that mean- ingful change happens early in the devel- opment of young minds and a concerted effort is needed to encourage interest in STEM subjects, starting at primary school level. To improve opportunities for our youth and reduce future unemployment in South Africa, our children need to be taught the importance of technical skills. This is achieved by providing insight into science-based careers, support in the form of extra tuition, and motivation through sharing of experiences, challenges and triumphs in the face of adversity. The IT Division’s intention is to bring awareness to and develop interest in how technology integrates into civil SA I CE & profess i onal news SAICE Information Technology Division SAICE Water Division Kuben Govender | kubeng@mariswe.com Debbie Besseling | debbie@saice.org.za www.saiceit.co.za SAICE helping children in need The sound of inquiring minds expressing their interest in the sciences, asking questions and genuinely enjoying the STEM-based activities was encouraging. As they interacted with these bright, energetic, enthusiastic children in a room filled with buzz and excitement, a sound much like rushing water in a stream, the SAICE team felt encouraged and optimistic for the future of our country’s youth. A deep freeze was donated by the SAICE IT Division A tumble dryer was donated by the SAICE Water Division