MTN Uganda officially launched its 10th edition of changing lives through its staff volunteerism project of 21 Days of Y’ello Care with the overall Group theme of “Investing in Education for All”. The focus is to continue driving access to education, particularly through the digitalisation of teaching and learning in the countries in which MTN operates.
Over 60 pupils at St. Hellen Primary School in Mbarara who are visually impaired danced to the music with excitement to show their appreciation to the good gesture from MTN Uganda staff.
Their celebration is hinged on the news that MTN staff and all the important visitors at their school were there to commission a fully connected ICT Hub complete with talking computers,b raille Perkins machines with braille papers, computers, Jaws software, headsets, internet connectivity, WiMAX setup, painting of the ICT lab and ten smart phones for the school management. In addition to the basic computer training for pupils in the MTN ICT bus.
St. Hellen Primary School is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s annual 21 day long staff volunteerism initiatives in which employees across MTN’s international footprint take time off to physically get involved in activities that uplift communities around them through financial, physical and emotional contributions of staff and MTN as a corporate citizen.
The Mbarara event was led by Mr Anthony Katamba, GM Corporate Services. He said MTN staff will over the 21 days; get involved in setting up ICT hubs in the five regions (East, West, North, Central and South West). This will be complemented by basic computer training for the pupils using the MTN internet bus, a vital component for the promotion of ICT in rural areas in an effort to bridge the gap between rural and urban areas.
“Education is one of the most important investments a country can make to its people and its future and it is critical to reducing poverty and inequality and MTN Uganda realizes and understands the need for investment in the education sector,” Katamba said.
He said this year’s activities will continue with the theme of “Investing in Education for all” adding that MTNs operations will engage in projects that have a positive impact on the education sector regionally. “At MTN, we have refocused our interventions towards empowerment of the communities in various areas. Education is one such area which is very close to our hearts because of the direct link between improved literacy and the socio-economic status of any community.”
Funding of the project is solely dependent on contributions from MTN Staff who also physically get involved in the campaign activities. Leveraging on MTN’s regional presence across the country, the planned activities will allow a cross section of staff to participate in this worthy Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
St. Hellen’s Head teacher represented by the Deputy, Mrs Seremali Bainomugisha hailed MTN for being sensitive to community needs adding that the ICT Hub and the equipment for the visually impaired pupils will address the needs of each of the 330 pupils in the school.
St. Hellen Primary is a Catholic Missionary school founded in 1932. The ceremony was presided over by the Principle Education Officer Mr. Francis Tumwebaze who also commissioned the ICT lab.