Samsung volunteers build houses and conduct IT training in Zambian village

7 Aug 2015

Thirty-three Samsung Electronic staff volunteers have built houses and conducted IT training in the village of Kabwe, Zambia. They built two houses, donated 31 NotePCs, launched a Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS) and conducted IT training for teachers and students.

Samsung volunteers build houses and conduct IT training in Zambian village

The initiative, carried out in partnership with Habitat International forms part of Samsung's Employee Volunteer Programme (EVP), which encourages employees to use their vacation days to uplift and empower underprivileged communities. The Zambia EVP was one of a series of community development programmes implemented across Africa under Samsung's EVP programme. Previous beneficiary countries include Cameroon, Tanzania, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others.

The SPIS is built in a 12-metre renovated shipping container that can accommodate up to 24 pupils, and is fitted with solar panels that power the equipment. Furthermore, it is equipped with a 65-inch large-format display screen, a teacher's laptop, Samsung notebooks, a printer and fans to cool the container.

The classroom's computer server is loaded with educational content that covers the entire basic education syllabus, allowing facilitators to teach any subject or grade. An energy efficient LED lighting and an IP camera, which is designed to use 3G connectivity, allows for remote classroom monitoring.

Douglas Katengo, Habitat for Humanity Zambia's Board Chairman, says, "Habitat for Humanity Zambia appreciates the partnership with Samsung through its employee volunteer initiative. We are proud to be associated in uplifting the lives of many Zambians especially here in Kabwe, through the provision of decent shelter."