General Manager for Microsoft East and Central Africa Mr. Louis Otieno

The African Centre for Women Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT) on 13 March, 2009 received a Kshs. 5.6 million grant from the Microsoft Corporation, alongside two other organizations.

This is in support of the Reaching the Un-Reached – Youth Employability program and complements the government’s vision 2030 of creating more job opportunities and wealth among the youth.

The support offered to these organizations under Microsoft Unlimited Potential programme follows the organization’s commitment to help all people benefit from information and communications technology that is accessible, affordable and relevant to their needs.

Speaking to the media during the presentation of the grant, the General Manager for Microsoft East and Central Africa Mr. Louis Otieno said his organization is focusing its efforts on delivering solutions that hinge on transforming education, fostering local innovation and enabling jobs and opportunities, hence the emphasis on young people.

Soon after receiving the grant The ACWICT Executive Director said the money will be used to replicate the center’s Reaching the Un-reached – Youth Employability project in Eldoret.

“Through the grant, we will establish a Community Technology Learning Centre and equip 720 young women from the informal settlements of the town (Eldoret) with ICT skills and possibly also entrepreneurship and life skills for employability in the next 12 months,” Ms. Obuya said. She projected that about 50 percent of the young women trained will be connected to employment opportunities.

Other organizations that received the grant include Siaya based Ugunja Community Resource Centre (UCRC) and the Informal Business Sector Institute (ISBI).

A total of Kshs. 11 million was donated to the three organizations.