MTN has launched its MTN’s “21 Days of Y’ello Care,”under the theme “Investing in Education for All” in partnership with the USAID-funded Literacy, Language, and Learning (L3) Initiative.
During the next 5 days, MTN and L3 will deliver world-class print and audio instructional materials (including SD-memory cards) to 90 schools in Gasabo,Karongi, Rulindo, Bugesera, and Huye districts.
The materials, developed by L3 and the RwandaEducation Board (REB), facilitate ‘Primary One’ (P1) and ‘Primary Two’ (P2)English, Kinyarwanda, and Math lessons, equipping children with the literacyand numeracy skills they need to succeed. The 90 schools are piloting thematerials, which will ultimately benefit all public schools across the countryin grades P1 to P4. Delivery of audio instructional material and cards is inline with MTN’s new vision of introducing learners to a bold, new digitalworld.
By partnering with well-established government offices, local organizations, and projects such as the L3 Initiative, MTN officials saidthat they would ensure that its efforts for the ’21 Days Of Y’ello Care’ arestrategically targeted and expertly advised for maximum impact. This year alonethe campaign was valued at slightly over Rwf45 million.
During the distribution exercise MTN employees will engagein renovations of selected schools and also read storybooks in classrooms.
“Stories are an integral part of L3’s literacyprogram,” said L3 Deputy Chief of Party Solange Ngoga. “Stories showchildren that reading is enjoyable, and they encourage children to develop alife-long love of reading. The more they read, the better readers they’llbecome. ”
MTN Rwanda’s Chief Executive Officer Khaled Mikkawi said that the issue of education is a key priority for most countries, and as we head towards the deadline for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals(MDGs), at MTN we believe this is a matter of urgency.
“According to the UN each additional year of schooling can increase a person’s income by up to 10 percent, and raises average annual GDP by 0.37 percent. By focusing on education, MTN hopes to impact the lives ofmillions of families and sustainably transform their future by opening them upto the world of opportunities that education offers,” he said.
“In Rwanda a number of activities have been lined-up for staff members from which students particularly those from nursery and primary will benefit,” he added.
The seventh annual ‘21 Days of Y’ello Care’ programme kicked off on 1st June 2013. As in previous years, the campaign runs three weeks long to enable staff members to participate without compromising day-to-day business operations.
MTN Rwanda staff members join their colleagues across Africa and the Middle East in a 21 day-long campaign, roll up their sleeves in an effort to uplift communities, and give their neighborhoods a “Y’ello” touch!
