KEEPING KENYAN GIRLS IN SCHOOL

Kenya — Procter & Gamble the world’s largest consumer goods company and the makers of Always sanitary pads is committed to contributing to Girls Education in Kenya. Through the Always Keeping Girls in School program, Procter & Gamble intends to provide 10,000 girls with on free sanitary pads and puberty education to empower girls to stay in school. The program which will kick off in October 2013 will be executed by Health Education Africa Resource Team (HEART) in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

HEART CEO Vickie Winkler (left) P&G's Irene Mwathi (centre) and Loresho Primary's Brenda Langa

Speaking during the 2013 launch,  Mr Aziz Jindani P&G’s Country Manager said that the company was proud to have been the pioneers of the sanitary pads programs which was made possible by meaningful partnerships.

“We are happy to reintroduce this program so that we can keep more of our Kenyan girls in school. We remain committed to partnering with partners such as the Ministry of Education; Girl Child Network, HEART and UNESCO to reach more girls in our society,” said Mr Jindani.

Mr Jindani added that the program and its partners had in the past provided needy school girls with over 6 million free Always sanitary pads and puberty education. Research conducted by FAWE has shown that a girl who is absent from school due to menses for four to five days loses a total of almost 3 months of school every year.

HEART Executive Director Vickie Winkler said that the organization will work with P&G to identify new areas of needs on the ground while working with the teachers and the local HEART team to provide the health education to the schools.

“We hope that together with P&G we will abolish the stigma and embarrassment that a young girl goes through. Our interaction with the girls has shown that those who lack sanitary pads resort to using unhygienic methods which in the end lead to absenteeism.”

This year, the Always sanitary pad is marking its 21st year since its introduction into Kenya. The brand has constantly lead in innovation and ensured that the Kenyan consumer gets the best in technology.

UNDERPRIVILEGED YOUTH GET COMPUTERS TO ENHANCE SKILLS

…...as Sameer Agriculture seeks to develop the ICT sector in Uganda

Uganda– Students from Mwereerwe Community Vocational Training Center in Matugga have today been handed  ten computers by Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Ltd (SALL), one of the largest buyers of fresh milk in Uganda in a move aimed at developing the ICT sector.

Over 200 students who trained at the Community Center will now benefit from enhanced technology, access to internet and quick and easy processing of information and connectivity made possible by the additional computers.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, SALL’s Mr. Parikh said that the company has in the past given back to the society with an aim of promoting the wellbeing and livelihoods of communities in Uganda.

“Access to information is a major influence in the economic growth of a society. We acknowledge the challenges the youth face today in this area and we believe that with the new computers, the students here will increase their ICT knowledge while also connecting with other youths across the world,” added Mr. Parikh.

Sameer Agriculture and Livestock Ltd donated the first set of eleven computers in 2008 and have now come back with more, an indication that the move made a tremendous change in the students’ computer skills and data management thus the additional machines to give more efficiency in doing their work.

Mr. Kalifani Kyasanku, The Chairman of the Board of Directors at Mwereerwe Community Vocational Training Center hailed the move by SALL terming it as a show of commitment to develop Uganda’s education and ICT sector which.

“Computers are both a window and a tool: a window out to the world and a tool with which to think. They are a wonderful way for all students at the center to learn and teach each other through independent interaction and exploration.”

SALL’s initiative to  continuously monitor quality, performance, innovate and effect improvements in the country has been extended to equipping young people with computer technology and shall continue in the future,” said Mr. Parikh.

PROCTER & GAMBLE SPORTS LEGACY CAMPAIGN REAPS CHAMPIONS

Public Primary Schools supported qualify for primary school sports championships -

Kenya - Over 200,000 children have had access to sports facilities and equipment thanks to the Procter & Gamble Sports Legacy campaign launched in partnership with the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K).

The sports kits containing team sports equipment included basket balls, net balls, volleyballs, rugby balls, referee uniforms, nets among others which were distributed to 150 public primary schools nationwide by Procter and Gamble (P&G), the company behind brands like Ariel, Pampers and Always. The company is currently in the process of raising $25 million globally to help say ‘Thank You Mom’ by helping establish and sustain youth sport programs around the world, as part of its 10-year partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Speaking during an award ceremony at the Machakos School for the Deaf who were the runners up in the national special

sports games, Procter & Gamble Communications Ms Irene Mwathi said the company was happy to see that selected schools had made progress with their participation in the national sports tournaments. She further reiterated the company’s commitment to youth engagement and the use of sports as a tool for self-empowerment.

           

“At P&G, we understand the critical role that the young people play in our society and through this campaign, we hope engage them through platforms that can positively transform their lives with sports being one of them. We are glad that the schools have taken the initiative and progressed to the national games,” said Ms Mwathi.

Through the Legacy programme, the company has been engaging school children in sports activities that resonate with the 2012 London Olympic Games. At the same time, P&G has been working with teachers to raise awareness on the importance of sports in development among the youth.

Machakos School for the Deaf Principal Mr. Anthony Muthembwa with Procter & Gamble's Communication Ms. Irene Mwathi

“At the start of our ‘Thank You Mom’ program, we asked moms everywhere, what would be a great way for us to help you and they said – “Help support youth sports because sport helps moms too. It helps moms raise healthy, happy kids. This is why we are committing to support not just the moms of Olympians – but every mom who does whatever it takes to make her child’s life the best it can be,” said Ms. Mwathi.

National Olympic Committee of Kenya Machakos coordinator Stephen Makau said that there is importance in encouraging sports development from the grassroots level so that students’ with special sporting abilities can be supported.

“We are thankful as all the 30 schools which received the sports kits reached the national championships. There is a lot of sports talent in schools and we are happy that our stakeholders are working together with us to identify and coach children with sporting abilities to succeed as Kenyans next Olympians.” said Mr. Makau.

To support the Legacy campaign, P&G sold specially packaged products with the P&G logo and Olympic rings towards the improvement of Kenyan lives through sports. In return, P&G donated one Kenyan Shillings for every product purchased during the 2012 London Olympic Games period.

Samsung Electronics: An exclusive 2- year warranty in Africa

That Guarantees  your peace of mind……

Uganda: The on-going national anti-counterfeit drive has received an extra boost with the confirmation by Samsung Electronics that its genuine range of products will continue carrying an exclusive two-year warranty.

The confirmation by Samsung Electronics East Africa chief operating officer Robert Ngeru effectively means that customers buying genuine Samsung products from the authorised dealers will continue enjoying their peace of mind.

Dubbed the Samsung Smart Care, customers buying original Samsung products can easily activate their 2-Year warranty using an electronic activation system for all hand held devices. The warranty, already rolled out via Samsung Uganda’s E-Warranty platform also allows registered handset owners to win a range of attractive prizes in monthly draws.

In addition, local customers purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S4 are also enjoying the unique Accidental Damage from Handling (ADH) warranty, covering two screen damages or two liquid damages or a screen and liquid damage within the 2 years warranty period. The ADH warranty is activated only when the consumer registers their phone via E-warranty.

Samsung Mobile customers wishing to check the validity of their E-Warranty can easily check the status by sending an SMS with the words: “Check*IMEI number#” to 6585 to confirm their 2-year warranty validity. Customers can also access Samsung Customer Care services through the 0800300300 toll free line.

E-warranty registration is a simple process whereby the customer sends an SMS with Reg*IMEI number# to 6585. The IMEI number is found under the battery of the phone. For consumer electronics and IT products, the customer should fill out a warranty card and they will get an SMS confirmation within one week.

“The Samsung Smart Care 2-Year warranty that covers our full range of consumer electronic appliances and mobile devices is the first of its kind in Africa and is aimed at saving our customers the unnecessary pain and anguish that comes with buying counterfeit products,” said Ngeru.

He added that: “Customers buying original Samsung products from our authorised dealers in Uganda continue to enjoy the peace of mind brought about by our undisputed quality, durability and 2 years warranty across our entire product line.”

The rollout of the 2-year warranty in Uganda, Ngeru explained, has been made possible by the firm’s quality assurance systems and adoption of the Samsung Built for Africa strategy, which focuses on manufacturing products tropicalized for local conditions.

“At Samsung, we are confident enough that we manufacture quality products which can last for many years and our 2 year warranty is a clear testimony of our superior product quality,” Ngeru explained. Further noting that: “Putting our customers’ requirements first, means taking relevant steps to ensure the highest level of product compatibility and service is maintained. This is a key business imperative for us and one that we will continue to drive into 2013 and beyond as part our Built for Africa agenda.”

As the market leader in East Africa, Samsung Electronics is pursuing an active customer service enhancement programme which also focuses on raising the quality of its after sales support capacity.

With a two-year warranty, Samsung has further managed to raise its value proposition for its customers who enjoy better value for money. In a market suffering from an influx of Counterfeit and Gray products that don’t carry any warranty, Samsung customers will enjoy the value of a two year Warranty backed by a dedicated service support system.