Computers from New Zealand bring hope to Ugandan youth

Auckland, 20 May 2008 – DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics company, has sent computers from New Zealand free of charge to a youth learning centre in Kampala Uganda, to support an initiative to up-skill and educate Ugandan young people.

Donated by Victoria University, the computers will be part of an on-going programme to address youth unemployment.

The youth centre was founded by Conservation Trust-Uganda and offers training programmes in office work. The aim of the centre is to provide young people, especially girls, with the opportunity to gain constructive employment in a city where many rely on prostitution in AIDS ridden slums to survive.

“Bringing the computers to Kampala has transformed our organisation,” says Samuel Mabikke, Executive Officer, Conservation Trust-Uganda. “We are very grateful for all the support DHL has accorded us. We are proud for DHL’s contribution to changing lives within our communities.”
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Conservation Trust-Uganda is now in the process of expanding its computer programmes and will slowly buy furniture for the students to work at. It has enrolled 25 students who have already started computer classes.”

DHL’s involvement with Conservation Trust-Uganda stems from the 2006 Global Enterprise Experience awards, judged by Derek Anderson, General Manager, DHL Express NZ where Samuel Mabikke won the best journal prize.

“When Samuel contacted DHL after the 2006 Global Enterprise Experience awards, we were pleased to be able to assist with this initiative even in a very simple way,” says Derek Anderson, General Manager, DHL Express NZ.

With a combined weight of 287kg, the 10 computers, including monitors, mouses and keyboards were dispatched to Kampala, Uganda in April, saving the charity almost NZ$10,000.

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