By Matṧeliso Phulane
The charity arm of Vodacom Lesotho (VCL), Vodacom Foundation has handed over 276 Wi-Fi routers with data connectivity to the Network of Early Child Development of Lesotho (NECDOL).
NECDOL was formed in November 2016 following widespread interest by different personnel providing services to young children aged zero to five years. The network is a non-profit voluntary association of individuals, organisations and institutions who have come together to pursue the same objectives aimed at the overall well-being of young children.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony which was held at Vodacom Park Maseru on Tuesday this week, VCL Executive Head of Regulatory and External Affairs, Tṧepo Ntaopane said the company has spent over M2.1 million on the devices and the donation is expected to be for a period of two years. However, they will extend the period depending on their work assessment.
He noted that the Wi-Fi devices are expected to be distributed strategically to reception schools to ensure maximum impact as well as improved connectivity across the nation.
Ntaopane explained that the aim of Vodacom Foundation is to invest in quality education from a tender age, in order to have a highly trained and skilled workforce for better economic performance.
He pointed out that it is also important to work hand in hand with the ministry of education to ensure that they provide digital education through donating assistive devices which will make it easier for teachers to provide quality education that will empower pupils.
“In an increasingly digital world, connectivity is the bridge to knowledge and information. We hope these devices will empower pupils, educators, and officials across the education sector,’’ Ntaopane said.
The handing over of the Wi-Fi devices comes after a commitment which Vodacom and other companies made during Swiss former professional tennis player Roger Federer’s visit to Lesotho a few months ago.
Federer, along with his Global Partner for Education, was invited by the ministry of education and UNICEF Lesotho. The visit was an opportunity to shine a light on the chronically underfunded early education sector, through his Roger Federer Foundation which has been active in the country since 2020.
Among others, Vodacom through its foundation committed to ensure that every Mosotho child gets quality education and are safe from violence.
“The government of Lesotho with its national strategy plan, considers education as an important tool for Lesotho to be out of the state of being underdeveloped country. We need to ensure that there is good education offered.
“The role we play as VCL under our foundation, is to contribute with a great effort to improve education.
“We hope to change the shape of education for every Mosotho child in order to create our own jobs which will employ others or to find ourselves working in other countries to increase the economy of the country,” he stated.
At the same occasion, NECDOL coordinator, Shoeshoe Mofokeng thanked the VCL for the donation which she said signifies a new era for the country’s education system.
Mofokeng said the Wi-Fi modems would make online learning more accessible to pupils across the country, adding that educators will also have easy access to the development of pupils.
She pointed out that access to the internet has become an essential component of modern education and the modems will enable NEDCOL to reach remote and under-served areas thus ensuring that no students are left behind.
On behalf of the ministry of education’s Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) department, Matšepo Ntšaba said the VCL donations reaffirm the private sector and government’s commitment to advancing educational technology and access to information
“We have been crying for so many years wanting Lesotho to change ways of thinking and take issues regarding ECCD into consideration. Therefore, we are thankful that VLF changed its strategies to support early childhood,” Ntṧaba added.
“Our aim is to support sustainable initiatives that drive social change, improve people’s lives and solve pressing social needs,” he indicated.
