A newly built sports field and training programs have been inaugurated in Saron, South Africa, through a collaboration between fruit and vegetable brand SanLucar and the VfB Stuttgart football club's 'Brustring der Herzen' foundation. The initiative is part of an ongoing commitment to social development near SanLucar's agricultural operations in the country.
The launch event took place on the grounds of the local secondary school and was attended by former professional footballers Cacau (Germany) and David Kannemeyer (South Africa). Alongside representatives from both organizing institutions, they participated in football and netball matches with local students. The event included music and traditional South African food and marked the official opening of the new facilities under the project title "DREAMS."
The project is designed to provide structured sports activities for children from low-income families. Under the supervision of qualified coaches, participants will engage in football and netball while also attending workshops focused on life skills development. These workshops are being delivered in collaboration with organizations such as the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, Global United FC, and the VfB soccer school.
The sports field and related activities are intended to benefit not only the 1,045 students of Saron Secondary School but also the nearby primary school with 1,200 students, as well as the broader community.
This initiative forms part of a broader set of social responsibility efforts in the region. Other projects have included early childhood education through a kindergarten, after-school support using academic tutoring software, a permaculture program aimed at household self-sufficiency, and a local shop providing essential goods. Additionally, a program supporting women artisans allows participants to sell handmade crafts as a source of income.
According to project partners, the goal is to enhance educational and personal development opportunities in communities surrounding agricultural operations. The cooperation with local and international partners is viewed as a model for combining education, sport, and community engagement.
The DREAMS program continues to develop to support long-term improvements in the well-being of local communities in regions where the involved organizations operate.
For more information:
Sonia Gabarda
SanLucar Fruit
Tel: +34 96 142 40 40
Email: [email protected]
www.sanlucar.com