Media statement: Solidarity Helping Hand appoints new chief executive

Media statement

Solidarity Helping Hand

16 January 2012

Solidarity Helping Hand appoints new chief executive

Solidarity Helping Hand welcomed its new executive director, Dr Danie Brink, today.

Dr Brink will specifically focus on the strategic development of the organisation and all existing projects.

Helping Hand strives to prepare Afrikaans young people for the job market, enabling them to contribute to the economy and to break the cycle of poverty. For this reason, Helping Hand has projects such as the Lunchbox Projects at nursery schools and the Schoolbag Project for Grade Ones, offers school and career guidance to pupils and provides bursary loans for tertiary training to young people.

The organisation aims to further expand its bursary funds this year to help people enter the job market. In 2011, the number of bursary funds grew from 33 to 54 and more than 500 students were able to finish the year’s studies with the help of interest-free bursary loans.

“We must train people to help them become self-reliant,” Dr Brink said in his first interview as executive director.

Dr Brink is the former head of cultural organisation the FAK. A highly experienced mathematics teacher and former principal, he completed his further studies in mathematics teaching at the Universities of Virginia and Georgia. His passion for education dovetails with Helping Hand’s policy of empowerment through training.

“I’m looking forward to the big challenge that is offered by the position of chief executive of Solidarity Helping Hand with careful optimism,’ said Dr Brink.

 

Media contact:

Juanita du Preez

Solidarity Helping Hand

Tel: 012 644 4390

Cell: 074 500 3915

E-mail: juanita@helpendehand.co.za