Microsoft team in Kenya

With the support of the Danish NGO, Periamma, and local NGO, Help Mission Development Services (HMDS), Microsoft East Asia HQ Finance team were able to spend one week in two primary schools, Oterit and Kabarbesi located in Baringo County, teaching the basics of computer management and relevant software.

27 teachers and 100 students benefited directly from the project and 40 laptops were donated directly to the schools from private Danish companies. Part of the fun when scoping the project was to ensure computers arrived ahead of Microsoft team!

The experience was an incredible team building one, not just for the HQ Team (usually split between Istanbul and Dubai) but also through collaborating with CELA team, Local MS Kenya team, MEA Philanthropies and MySkills4Afrika in order to achieve solid sustainable results.

The passion and energy from every person that took part really shone through. It was amazing to feel the team-work in action with people who had been part of the prep phase, but whom Microsoft team had never met until actually on ground in Kenya, all a testament to that fact that they shared a common goal and purpose!

Nakuru is four hours away from Nairobi (and the nearest airport) but the journey passed quickly given the extraordinary scenery. Microsoft team were greeted by Josephine, HMDS NGO Director and Carsten, Country manager Kenya of Periamma, who wasted no time but to recount stories of schools they have supported and kids they enabled to explore life outside their normal rural ones.

Over the last 10 years they had helped more than 2000 students across the county. There were beautiful welcome speeches arranged from both HMDS and Periamma, as well as Massimo and Charlotte representing Microsoft team’s sentiment.

The trip was a huge success for the Microsoft team, having impact on them an individuals, as a team and to the community. Microsoft team reported: “There is a universal sense of pride and happiness knowing that we have contributed positively to this community and that we have helped enable both adults and children for the future. We really worked to achieve sustainable impact and will be sure to touch base to hear the progress. The team left stronger as a unit and inspired as individuals to do more!”

Feedback from Kenya has been heart-warming to hear:
“This is the best thing we have experienced in our lives!” – The Teachers, Oterit & Kabarbesi schools, Kenya
“You painted a new face to children, teachers, the schools and community at whole. May you be blessed abundantly in everything you do.” – HMDS

Join our newsletter and stay up to date with our latest stories and projects!