19 November 2009. 

Elliott International delivered four cases containing 8000 used books on Friday 6 November 2009 to Twenty30, a non government organisation based in Johannesburg, South Africa for their distribution to local underprivileged schools. This completed a trans global gift of learning initiated by the International School in Bangkok and included the help of Asian Tigers Transpo International Limited of Bangkok and Elliott International in getting the shipment from Bangkok to Johannesburg.

The International School in Bangkok was upgrading its library and decided to donate its existing books to Twenty30 as a result of a contact between a South African staff member and the founder of Twenty30. The School approached Asian Tigers Transpo International for help in sending the gift on its way. Asian Tigers collected and packed the books into 108 cartons, loaded them into four cases for shipment and paid the shipping costs to the port of Durban.

“Asian Tigers has had a long association with the International School, Bangkok. When they approached us for help in arranging this donation, we were more than happy to donate our services for such a worthwhile cause, knowing our African partners Elliott would be also be ready and able to assist us,” said Paul Ware of Asian Tigers.

On arrival in Durban, Elliott International took over the costs of customs clearance, delivery into store and final delivery to Twenty30 in Johannesburg.  “Opportunity for a good education for all is the vital ingredient for the eradication of poverty in South Africa. When Elliott International was approached by Paul Ware of Asian Tigers Transpo International to join them in providing a donation of 8 000 used books to underprivileged schools around Johannesburg, we had no hesitation in confirming our commitment to this worthy cause,” said Brad Barker, Joint CEO of Elliott International.

Suzi van Es of Twenty30 says the majority of the books are suitable for primary school learners although there are also books and multimedia for older learners. These will all be distributed to around 25 schools in the Soweto and Lanseria areas around Johannesburg in the next few months.  Twenty30 is a non government organisation which upgrades infrastructure and skills at needy South African educational organisations and creates avenues for young professionals to widen their personal perspectives through voluntary participation on projects. www.twenty30.org.za.