25/11/2010
Thirty-seven employees of Softcat, The Sunday Times’ Best Small Company to Work For in 2010, have returned from the town of Siem Reap, Cambodia, where they have helped to build a new library and paint and repair new classrooms at a junior high school.
IT provider Softcat renovates school in Cambodia
The award-winning IT provider donated more than £8500 for the renovation and an additional £3,500 to pay for tuition, library books, school uniform, and bicycles to help students in Sra Srang village to travel the 13 km to their local school. Some students from poorer families only attend school in the mornings, because they cannot afford to continue their studies in the afternoons. By funding scholarships, Softcat is making it possible for these students to spend more time learning at school each day.
“When we arrived at the school they gave us a fantastic welcome, singing and clapping,” said Shelley Ferrigno, recruitment manager, Softcat. “The children were wonderful. At first they seemed slightly unsure of all the strange visitors, but as we got stuck in, they soon became friends, and wanted to help with everything we were doing. That made the work take twice as long, and they got half of the paint on themselves rather than the walls.”
The Softcat employees also helped to clean the school. Peter Kelly, chairman, Softcat, said, “The school was in a complete mess. There was rubbish everywhere, so we set about getting all the kids to clean up the place with us. Then we lit a huge bonfire, and burnt the lot.”
“Once we had finished the project, we played a huge game of football. There were nearly 50 people on the pitch, and the kids were incredible. Five-year-olds in bare feet tackled us fearlessly. The children’s English was remarkably good, mostly because after school they are sent to sell postcards and other souvenirs to the tourists visiting nearby temples.”
Martin Hellawell, managing director, Softcat, commented, “Many of us take education for granted. This is our way of giving something back. And the trip gave our employees an insight into the local culture – they are thrilled to have experienced that first-hand in Cambodia.”
Many of the team said that the two days they spent completing the building project were the highlight of their 10-day incentive trip. Softcat regularly rewards its highest-performing employees with holidays in exotic locations. This is the second time that part of an incentive trip has focused on supporting a good cause – high-performing employees took part in a similar renovation project in Fiji three years ago.
Softcat has a reputation as an award-winning top employer. As well as giving its staff opportunities to progress in their careers, it offers student loan contributions, healthcare and dental plans, a company contributory pension, half-day holidays on employees’ birthdays, lunch at exclusive restaurants, and team-building activities.
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