In 2004 The Lapdesk Company was founded to supply mobile desks to learners in South Africa, with Archbishop Tutu as Patron from August 2005. The aim began with a “home first” strategy to ensure as many learners as possible in primary school would have access to a vital infrastructure promoting and assisting in not only literacy development, but an effective learning experience. As the pre-curseer to Tutudesk, Lapdesk won awards including the 2005 Proudly South African Campaign SME New Business of the Year and the Innovation Town iHero Awards – Grand Prix winner in 2007.
In 2009 The Lapdesk was re-branded to Kommunity Desk and a new improved design launched. The Kommunity Desk was incorporated into a new structure expanding a social development structure to include women, youth and skills development.
2011 saw the official launch of the Desmond Tutu Tutudesk Campaign as an international outreach to multi-tiered donors wishing to provide learners with Tutudesks across Africa and the World. The Tutudesk Campaign geared towards both children in school and those displaced by conflict and disaster.
Whilst our work remains true to assisting shortages in school environments, the Tutudesk is now recognized globally as a viable solution to emergencies with new sponsorships from UNHCR for displaced children.
