Add a variable to request in django

In Django I want to add a variable to the request. i.e,

def update_name(request):
    names = Employee.objects.filter()
    if names.count() > 0:
        request.update({"names": name })
    return render_to_response('chatlist/newchat.html',
        context_instance=RequestContext(request, {'form': form,'msg': msg}))

Is this the right way to add a variable to the request? If not, how should I do it?

Also, how can I retrieve the same value in the templates page? i.e,

alert ("{{request.names['somename']}}");