In March 2015, BTS acquired AVO Vision, a leading South African company focused on corporate and community learning and development. During 2017, AVO Vision was sold to another company that better fits its business model, but BTS still maintains partial ownership.
Through a joint-venture with AVO Vision, BTS provides subsidized training for local communities through education programs, primarily in South Africa. Our programs are directed towards citizens, addressing various development initiatives such as housing, financial literacy, water sourcing, and energy. So far, over 100,000 individuals have been trained through different programs – including tens of thousands of women and schoolchildren.
Hand in Hand International works to eradicate poverty through the Hand in Hand Network, a global group of NGOs that providing aid in 14 countries. BTS supports Hand in Hand operations in the village of Thenputhur in India. Our activities help women strengthen their role within their families and improve their life situation in the long-term through skills and entrepreneurship training. The initiative also works to fight child labor by investing in new schools, improving nutrition and hygiene, building infrastructure, and supporting entrepreneurship.
I visited a new school in the Thenputhur and the cheers from 40 young students were incredibly inspiring and rewarding. The commitment in the villages, mostly among the women responsible for the development projects, is strong and the progress is great. We are very grateful to Hand in Hand for allowing us to have such a real impact on people’s lives.