MTN Equips School Computer Lab, Internet

Rwanda’s first mobile telephone network provider (MTN) Foundation has equipped Ecole de Science de Gisenyi with a fully furnished computer lab.

The school is located in Rubavu District in Northern Province.

The foundation furnished the lab with brand new 36 computers with a full year internet connection.

Esri Hakuzimana the director of the school overwhelmingly appreciated; “we are chanced because our students are going to be groomed with ICT skills”.

“The lab will not only help students but also teachers for research purposes and also will benefit the community including neighboring schools,” Hakuzimana added

According to MTN Foundation Board Member, Zulphat Mukarubega, the donation aims at supporting ICT literacy as one of the country’s vision 2020 key pillars.

“ICT is the future and we want to sell to our young generation an opportunity to develop and harness their ICT skills,” said Mukarubega.

Yvonne Mubiligi, the Head of the Foundation at MTN said that the school was selected because it meets all the requirements to be supported.

Mubiligi said the requirements were school population of over 500 students, significant percentage of girls to be empowered in education, positive results on national exams, and an established adequate infrastructure and sustainable program for computer lab.

“The school must meet the key requirements to apply for the support,” Mubiligi pointed out .

Bonaventure Uwimaniragiye one of the students cheerfully noted: “I am very happy for the donation because this is going to help us in our research purposes and increase on our knowledge let say in history, biology and other relevant subjects”

Ecole de Science de Gisenyi is a mixed school with over 700 students. It has both ‘O’ level and ‘A’ level with majority of science students at High School level offering PCM and MCB combinations.

The MTN Foundation was set up in 2010 as the principal vehicle for its corporate social responsibility program. The company has committed 1% of its profit after tax to finance its Corporate social responsibility program.