Microsoft Donates $250,000 of Software to Create IT Jobs for Youth in Kenya
Friday, April 15, 2011
Microsoft Corp. announced today a donation of software with a retail value of $250,000 to Digital Divide Data (DDD). The grant, from Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential program, will support DDD to bring its social business model to Kenya. The new venture will provide services such as data entry, XML conversion and digital preservation for publishers, libraries, content hosts, academic researchers and businesses.
Microsoft’s software will be used to provide training and client services for a business process outsourcing (BPO) social enterprise that will employ at least 300 youth from slum areas in Nairobi over the next two years. Microsoft’s support will help youth in Kenya to build the strong computer and technology skills they need to succeed-and to enable sustained social and economic opportunity.
“We are committed to investing in innovative solutions that will help advance IT skills locally and support rising technology stars of the future,” said Jeffrey Avina, Microsoft’s Director of Community Affairs for Middle East and Africa. “This initiative is based on the realization that there is need not only to equip young people with IT skills but also to provide them with on-the-job experience. DDD’s track record of sustained social and economic development in Southeast Asia inspired us to make this unprecedented grant.”
