CRDB staff renovate classrooms, donate desks to Ukerewe School

MWANZA: STAFF at CRDB Bank have funded the renovation of two classrooms and the provision of 200 desks to Hamkoko Primary School in Ukerewe District, Mwanza as part of the bank’s employee-led community support initiative.

Ukerewe District Commissioner Christopher Ngubiagai expressed appreciation for the contribution, during the handover ceremony, noting that poor school infrastructure has been a major factor behind absenteeism and declining learning outcomes in rural areas.

“The state of some of our schools discourages children from attending regularly. Initiatives like this complement the government’s efforts to ensure all children study in safe and inspiring environments,” Mr Ngubiagai said.

The DC described the donation as a sign of commitment by ordinary Tanzanians working in the private sector to support national development goals. He urged other institutions and individuals to emulate the gesture, particularly in the education sector.

“You could have gone elsewhere, but you chose to support Ukerewe. It’s common to see people come together for weddings and celebrations, but rare when it comes to investing in education. What CRDB staff have done is commendable,” the DC added.

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The support was delivered through CRDB’s Employee Volunteering Programme, an internal initiative launched five years ago that allows staff to contribute a portion of their salaries toward solving community challenges.

Projects funded under the programme target sectors such as education, health, environmental conservation and support for vulnerable groups.

According to CRDB’s Director of Human Resources, Godfrey Rutasingwa, the programme reflects the bank’s broader commitment to social investment.

“This is part of how we return value to the communities where we operate. While the bank as an institution allocates one per cent of its post-tax profit to community development, this initiative is fully staff-led and managed,” he said.

Mr Rutasingwa explained that the volunteering model is implemented across all levels from individual staff members to regional branches and head office departments.

So far, projects have been implemented in the Coastal, Dar es Salaam and Northern zones, with Ukerewe marking the beginning of outreach activities in the Lake Zone.

Addressing parents during the event, he also highlighted the importance of long-term financial planning for education, introducing CRDB’s Junior Jumbo Account, which allows parents to save gradually for their children’s schooling needs.

“This account has no maintenance fees and can be opened with just 5,000/-. It’s one way to ensure parents are financially prepared as their children progress through the education system,” he said.