Ms Ansa Gouws from Constantia Kloof recently became the 20th winner of the monthly Woolworths “World of Difference” R10 000-00 prize. Every month one “World of Difference” cardholder stands the chance to win R10 000-00 for themselves and another R10 000-00 for a school of their choice. Laerskool Boskop Primary School in Honeydew, whom Ms Gouws nominated to donate the money to, was ecstatic when they heard they had been chosen as the winning school. Together with Adele Francis, Woolworths Regional Manager, Ms Gouws visited the school to hand over a R10 000-00 cheque. Headmistress for Laerskool Boskop Primary, Mrs. van der Hoek, commented: “We were very excited to receive the R10 000-00. The money will be put to good use for the benefit of our whole school.” “I was so excited to win the R10 000-00 and it is great to be able to hand over R10 000-00 to Laerskool Boskop Primary School”, says Ms Gouws. Every item purchased when shopping at any Woolworths store and presenting one of the World of Difference cards enters customers into this lucky draw. “It is fantastic to be able to reward a loyal customer with the R10 000-00 prize every month, while at the same time supporting a school. Any successful business has a responsibility to participate in and contribute to the communities in which it trades or operates, and nowhere is this better directed than to our schools”, says Pieter Twine, Customer Relationship Marketing at Woolworths. As part of the World of Difference offer, millions of rands flow into South African schools nominated by consumers through the MySchool programme. The money – earned by Woolworths card holders who get MySchool credits for all their purchases donated back to their nominated schools – is used for improving infrastructure, buying books, computers and any other school needs. Last fiscal Woolworths donated more than R14.9 million to schools around South Africa bringing their total contribution to the MySchool programme to more than R27.5 million since 2003. Customers do not need to have school going children to join the MySchool programme but can nominate any school or children’s charity for an easy, convenient way to contribute to education in South Africa. ENDS Editor’s Notes MySchool Programme – Shop and raise money for Schools • The MySchool programme encourages supporters to raise funds for schools. • Consumers throughout the country who carry MySchool and Woolworths World of Difference cards can earn additional funds for their chosen schools by simply swiping their card at the tills each time they buy at any Woolworths store in South Africa. • Woolworths World of Difference card holders are automatically invited to participate in MySchool. • Cardholders can support any school of their choice and do not have to have children at school in order to participate. • Woolworths through the MySchool programme to date has contributed more than R15 million to participating schools. • As an added bonus Woolworths World of Difference card holders are entered into a monthly lucky draw via each item that they have purchased. The monthly winner receives R10 000-00 credit on their World of Difference card and another R10 000-00 for their nominated school. • All South Africans are encouraged to participate in the MySchool programme by getting a brochure from the nearest Woolworths outlet or contacting MySchool on 0860-100 445. ‘Making the Difference’ initiative • Making The Difference’ is an innovative educational initiative and a natural extension of the MySchool project that Woolworths is driving nationally through their stores. • The 3rd phase of the programme is currently being implemented at 600 schools in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban & Cape Town. • ‘Making The Difference’ focuses on sharing Woolworths’ extensive knowledge around good food and nutrition. • The programme is designed with Grade 4 learners in mind and targets their educators and parents. • Each participating school receives a teacher’s resource pack with seven learning modules covering health, nutrition, the importance of physical activity and water education. • In addition to the resource packs, there is an experiential learning component complement to the ‘Making The Difference’ programme. This component includes outings for the learners to Woolworths stores and suppliers, and incorporates the Woolworths Trust EduPlant 2006 programme. • For parents there is a series of 60 parent talks aimed at offering assistance and advice on their children’s health, nutrition and physical well-being. Issued on behalf of: Woolworths Issued by: liquidlingo Communications Contact: Ayesha Abrahams / Jackie Busch +27 21 424 1530 ayesha@liquidlingo.co.za