Lazare Kaplan Announces The Lazare Ongoma Education Initiative

The Five Rand Primary School Dance Group

(IDEX Online News) – Lazare Kaplan International Inc. (LKI) yesterday (Wednesday) announced the launch of its The Lazare Ongoma Initiative (LOI), which will focus on education in Africa through the support of the Five Rand Primary School in Okahandja, Namibia. 

An “Ongoma” is a drum used to make sound. LKI said the new initiative aims to create “that sound” and improve resources in the school, thereby enhancing the children’s education experience.

The company is linking LOI with The Lazare Diamond Incentive Program in the U.S. This program rewards Lazare Diamond retailers and their sales associates who sell and register Lazare Diamonds. LKI will make a matching donation to The Five Rand Primary School in the name of each sales associate for every registered Lazare Diamond.

LKI employees will also participate with direct donations as part of this initiative.

“The Lazare Ongama Initiative was formed to raise awareness of the educational struggles in Namibia and establish a cultural connection to this community” said Christine Tobias, Lazare’s Social Media sales coordinator.

“This is a way for LKI to thank their retailers and sales associates across the country for their support and spread awareness that diamonds contribute to the wellbeing of the Namibian people.”

LKI acts as technical advisors for the NamGem factory in Okahanja where they train and work with Namibians in polishing rough diamonds. The company also has a factory in Botswana.