Airtel Kenya partners with local organisation to sponsor needy students

By Peter Ochieng 

Airtel Kenya on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mukuru Promotional Center (MPC) to provide scholarships for 22 deserving students worth Sh1.7 million.

MCP is a non-profit organisation in Mukuru slums, Nairobi.

Airtel Kenya will sponsor students at St. Michael's Secondary School in Mukuru, geared towards keeping up with the company's social impact objective to guarantee high-quality education for all children on the continent.

Emeka Oparah, Airtel Africa Vice President, Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility said they are focused on transforming the lives of over 1 million African children.

“Airtel Africa’s ambition across the continent is focused on transforming the lives of over one million children in Africa through digital and quality education by 2027," he said.

"Today's scholarship initiative is among other key initiatives that will help achieve this goal which is focused on improving education through our corporate social responsibility activities."

Airtel Kenya has been a significant sponsor of education at St. Michaels Secondary School since 2012.

This sponsorship constitutes 13 per cent of the school’s total financial support, from corporate partners. 

Commenting on the MoU, Airtel Kenya Managing Director Ashish Malhotra said they recognise education as a basic human right for every child.

"At Airtel Kenya, we recognise that access to education is a basic human right for every child and not a privilege for a few. For this reason, we are intentional about including education as central to our broader sustainability agenda. By adopting schools, we aspire to continue providing long-term and modern practical support for under-privileged students like connecting them with our high-speed internet to enhance their digital learning," he said in a press release.

Mukuru Promotion Centre (MPC) supports initiatives in the community that include education, health, social welfare, social rehabilitation and environmental management.

Sister Mary Killen, the Director expressed her gratitude for what she termed as Airtel’s generosity.

“This partnership has been an incredible benefit to our students and Organisation, and we are grateful for your kindness. Our appreciation is immeasurable, for your trust in us and contribution to our mission.”