Hewlett Packard to support digital schools 
By: Joyce Joan Wangui 

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Summary: Four rural Kenyan schools to be equipped 
with digital computers for Internet access

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Technology company Hewlett Packard Eastern Africa has teamed up with a
US Non-governmental organisation known as Build African Schools to set
up four digital schools in Kenya.

The renowned HP group will equip each of the schools' computer labs
with 10 computers, 10 printers and cameras. The long term project will
be the roll out of internet facilities to the selected schools.

The four schools to receive the equipment are Matiku Secondary school
in Emali, Olooloamutia in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Esupetiai Primary
in Narok and Matoi Secondary school in Kajiado district all in far
flung areas out of Nairobi.

While HP is involved in the technical part of the digital schools
project, the US-based Build African Schools will construct classrooms.
Due to lack of electricity infrastructure in some of the schools, the
companies have agreed to make use of solar energy to power the
computers

During the launch, the representatives of HP and the US-based Non
governmental Organisation, Ken Mbwaya (HP) and Patrick O'Sullivan of
Build African Schools expressed commitment in spearheading the digital
schools' project.

On his part, Mr. Mbwaya re-affirmed his firm's commitment in
connecting the selected schools to the internet for one year, adding
that the initiative would go a long way to ensure that the schools are
networked with 50 other schools on HP's Digital Schools programme
overseas.

"We are proud to note that Kenyan rural schools would now be
recognised in the globe once they start networking with their
counterparts in overseas destinations," said Mbwaya.

O'Sullivan said his NGO's initiative is in line with the Kenya
government's free primary education programme that ensures that all
children of school going age are enrolled in schools.

O'Sullivan also envisages a total of 1,650 children getting a chance
to study in 33 classrooms, once the project is complete. Hewlett
Packard objective's is geared towards technology access to all school
goers, as a means to learn and a tool for daily use.

"HP will remain committed to helping developing communities and
countries," said O'Sullican.

The HP group was founded in 1939 and has since grown to be a global
leader in the information technology sector. Among other things, HP
deals in the provision of office equipment, consumer electronics, IT
and network solutions.