Safaricom Foundation has set aside Ksh4 million (US$50,000) to support education projects through the Junior Achievement Kenya this financial year. So far, the Foundation has spent over Ksh7.5 million (US$93,750) on similar projects in the last three years.Safaricom Foundation Chairman Les Baillie said the Foundation was keen to support various community and educational projects that impact positively on the lives of the people.

“This grant underscores our commitment to job shadowing and mentoring of the youth in this country,” he said.

Having been established in 1999, Junior Achievement Kenya (JA) was founded with a view to preparing and inspiring young people to succeed in the global economy, which has been achieved through mentorship, job shadowing and career development initiatives.

Baillie said Safaricom Foundation has also included several of its staff members to mentor students in various programmes such as the flagship company programme in Aga Khan High School, Precious Blood, Muslim Boys and more recently, Nairobi School.

“Junior Achievement is one of the few partners that we have supported over multiple years, because of the far reaching impact of its various programmes both for the participating students as well as for Safaricom staff.”
Last year, Safaricom Foundation supported the  Junior Achievement first ever University Programme dubbed “Universities Innovation Boot Camp” which had 12 public and private universities competing to provide innovative solutions to a real situational analysis and challenge from the business sector.

In recognition of the fact that certain areas of our country may not have equal access to educational opportunities and mentorship, JA’s current grant supports programmes in Garissa, and also expands their support to primary schools.

Baillie said Safaricom Foundation was committed to education which is beyond the ‘hardware’ – and beyond classrooms, labs and libraries.