- Camara Education provides computers, teacher-training and innovative learning programmes to African schools
- ESB agrees to donate up to 5,000 IT devices as part of the initiative
Thursday, 3 February 2022
ESB is today announcing details of its support for Camara Education, a charity that helps to transform the lives of students in Africa through technology with the delivery of IT equipment and other learning supports.
As part of the initiative, ESB has agreed to donate up to 5,000 end-of-life IT devices including laptops, desktops and other equipment. Through supporting partners, these laptops and desktops are collected from ESB and processed to the highest environmental and data-security standards, before being delivered to countries in Africa including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.
The IT equipment is then used in the delivery of a range of teacher-training and innovative learning programmes, mainly supporting young students and women.
Cormac Lynch, Executive Chairman and Founder of Camara Education, said: “Camara Education is driven by its commitment to changing the lives of young people across Africa through education. With the help of IT support and funding from ESB, we are continuing to provide a vital opportunity for students to create the life they want to lead. We thank ESB for their continued support, along with all of our corporate partners, and encourage others that are interested to get involved as we continue to expand our programme.”
Geraldine Heavey, ESB Executive Director, Enterprise Services, said: “At ESB, we are proud to invest in individuals and communities right across the world, helping them to reach their full potential. Our long-standing support of Camara Education aligns with many other initiatives across ESB that help young people to advance their skills and knowledge through education. In addition to the positive environmental benefits that this partnership brings, we are proud to see the difference that it is making in communities across Africa.”
To date, Camara Education has provided computer access to over 3.7 million young people. ESB has supported the charity since the early 2000s.
As well as delivering transformative digital education to some of the world’s poorest countries, this initiative helps to reduce IT disposal waste and carbon emissions. Camara Education aligns directly with many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals including promoting quality education, gender equality and responsible consumption.
The charity is now calling for other corporate partners to join the initiative, with computer donations and project funds, to help achieve its goal of transforming lives through technology. Further information is available at www.camara.org.
ENDS/
For media queries contact: Graham King, ESB press office, 085-1515886/graham.king@esb.ie
Notes to editor:
Cormac Lynch, Executive Chairman and Founder of Camara Education, is available for interview upon request to discuss the work of the charity and the impact of support from ESB and other corporate partners.
About Camara Education:
Camara Education sets up computer labs in schools across Africa – currently in Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Tanzania and Zambia – and trains teachers and local staff to use and maintain them. Since its foundation in 2005, the charity has installed more than 120,000 computers in over 10,000 schools. They achieve this thanks to generous funders, and also, by working with companies in Ireland, the UK and USA to recycle surplus or end-of-life computers and other IT equipment.
Camara exists because they believe the world would be a better place if all young people were empowered through innovative education to create the life they want to lead.