Miway Insurance has partnered with global social enterprise MiDesk to donate 100 innovative, multi-functional school desks to under-resourced learners in KwaZulu-Natal.
More than three million children in South Africa attend school without access to proper learning spaces, while an estimated 70% of learners in rural communities lack basic study furniture at home[i]. For many, this means doing homework on the floor, studying by candlelight, or having no dedicated place to learn at all. These are some of the conditions that continue to undermine educational outcomes long before curriculum or teaching quality come into play.
It is against this backdrop that Miway Insurance has partnered with global social enterprise MiDesk to donate 100 innovative, multi-functional school desks to under-resourced learners in KwaZulu-Natal. The short-term insurer continues to reinforce its commitment to sustainable socio-economic development through education.
The partnership was deliberately chosen for its ability to address multiple barriers to learning in a practical and sustainable way. Education is one of the most effective rewards for addressing South Africa’s broader socio-economic challenges. When we assessed our priorities to address these challenges, we wanted an initiative that goes beyond once-off donations but rather delivers long-term value to learners and their communities.
Each unit functions as a school bag with durable wheels, reducing the physical strain of carrying books over long distances and across uneven terrain. The bag is able to convert into a personal desk and seat that can be used both at school and at home.
The desk also includes a built-in solar light, enabling learners to study in the evenings where access to electricity is limited or unreliable. This combination of mobility, durability and functionality has been shown to deliver meaningful educational benefits.
Through this partnership, we’ve been able to add value worth all our efforts. For many learners, the challenge is not willingness or ability, but the environment they are expected to learn in. A child who has no table at home, no lighting and no quiet space is already at a disadvantage. These desks help level that playing field in a very tangible way.
The desks are designed for longevity and can be used from early primary school through to matric, aligning with Miway’s focus on sustainable socio-economic development rather than short-term contributions. Beyond academic performance, the initiative also responds to less visible barriers to attendance and participation, particularly for young girls wearing dresses and navigating puberty in schools where learners are required to sit on the ground due to a lack of furniture.
Miway views the MiDesk partnership as the beginning of a longer-term relationship, with plans to identify additional schools and communities in future. This is our first collaboration with MiDesk, but certainly not the last. Our aim is to support learners over time and ultimately, contribute to building South Africa’s future talent pipeline.
