UUNET-Kenya in partnership with Operation Ear Drop has today officially announced its 10 Kilometre Ear Walk event scheduled for next month. The event is expected to raise Ksh6 million (US$75000) to cover operations for approximately over 600 children from disadvantaged backgrounds with hearing impairments and who cannot afford the related medical costs.According to UUNET Kenya Managing Director Tom Omariba, the event is expected to attract over 3000 participants.

“This year, we aim to have over 3, 000 participants in an event that we are expecting to raise Ksh 6 million. The money will cover operations for approximately 600 children”, said Omariba.

Omariba also appealed to the corporate organizations and individuals to lend a hand in terms of donations to support the initiative since as a company its staff has already raised Ksh1.5million (US$18750)

“To show our commitment to support the initiative, our staff have already taken the lead to raise an initial Ksh1.5 million of the projected funds. We therefore ask all the willing corporate organizations and individuals to submit their donations to help our physically challenged friends to have an opportunity to hear again,” said Omariba.

Running for the fourth year now, Omariba said the initiative was part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility objective of giving back to the society and helping the physically challenged in the community.

“At UUNET Kenya we continue to view social responsibility as our commitment to contributing towards economic development and improving the quality of life of local communities within which we do our business.”

The theme for this year’s walk will be “Bringing back the gift of hearing.”

It is my hope that the forthcoming event will touch lives of able corporations, to assist these children who are our future,” said Omariba.