Airtel Extends Support for Digital Literacy Through ‘She Will Connect’ Program

Airtel Kenya has extended its support for digital literacy in peri-urban and urban communities across Kenya by offering more routers and 3G connectivity to ensure free internet connection services to the Intel Mobile Caravan under the ‘She Will Connect’ program.  

Following the official launch of the Intel Mobile Caravan in September 2016, between Airtel, Intel and other partners, a three-day training for trainers was organized between 7th and 10th February to equip the trainers on the new content, platform and schedules that will be adopted in the next phase campaign for the caravan and the BRCK KIO kits.

The training culminated in a breakfast meeting whereby the pilot phase report on the caravan and BRCK kits was shared highlighting the successes and challenges of the initial roll out project. It was reported that the pilot phase program had impacted the lives of 3200 beneficiaries in the four counties namely, Narok, Nairobi, Muranga and Machakos where the caravan toured.

The Intel Mobile Caravan targets women, teachers as well as students and provides free ICT training. Airtel Kenya will provide high speed 3G connectivity to an additional 10 BRCK KIO kits that will be taken round various counties in the next phase of the campaign. The next phase campaign will target eight counties including Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Narok, Embu, Nyandarua, Homabay and Tharaka Nithi.

Speaking during the event, JoyWo CEO, Mr. Abraham Samoei applauded the great success that was achieved by the Intel Mobile Caravan and the three-day training for the JoyWo trainers.“I am very pleased with the great report that has been shared on the pilot phase of this initiative that is aimed at empowering women and children with ICT skills. To know that women and children are empowered with technical skills that have helped them to improve their lives is very encouraging.”

“We would also like to thank our partners Intel and Airtel for their continued support and we continue to assure you that we will endeavor to reach out to even more Kenyans in order to empower them and help them transform their lives and your support is highly appreciated.” Abraham added.

In a statement, Airtel Kenya, Managing Director, Prasanta Das Sarma pledged Airtel’s continued support in the initiative that seeks to enrich lives in the communities.

“As a company we are devoted to delivering solutions that enrich the communities that we serve. As such we remain committed to this partnership with Intel and other key partners to continue offering internet connectivity for this initiative. We are delighted that this initiative has so far impacted the lives of many people by empowering them to reap the benefits and access the boundless opportunities that come with being connected to the Internet.” said Prasanta.

Airtel also continues to support the youth in education through its CSR program that offers FREE internet to schools. So far, the company has covered over 340 schools and impacted the lives of over 270,000 students all over Kenya.

Other key partners in the initiative include the Kenya Institute of Curriculum development (KICD) charged with ensuring coordination with schools and providing digital educational content, JoyWo (Joyful Women Organization) run by Mrs. Ruto in the mobilization of women in the respective communities to attend the training sessions to be held at community centres and Global Peace Foundation which is involved in developing and executing training modules for the target audiences.

Intel Corporation has been impacting the lives of women and girls through the Intel® She Will Connect program that empowers women and girls with digital literacy thus enabling them to receive better education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities. The program has so far impacted over 150, 000 women in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa through face to face training.