Samsung said that it will be launching Pasha Centers-Like Digital Villages in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania this year that will focus on the challenges in undeserved and rural communities, provide people in this areas with access to ICT so they can learn about and utilize educational and health solutions, reports Footprint to Africa.
According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 50% of all out-of-school children worldwide, which affects their future employment opportunities. The terrible situation faced by many African countries is a result of a number of factors, including civil unrest, cultural beliefs and a lack of schooling infrastructure and resources.
It is due to this prevailing situation that Samsung Electronics Africa is using technology to make sure that every African child has access to education no matter where they are on the continent via its Solar Powered Internet Schools, Smart Schools and E-Learning Academies.
Samsung works with educators around the world to improve learning experiences through the use of technology, facilitating a classroom environment that is limitless and gives students access to a world of knowledge from their desks or on the go, opening equal access to global opportunities.
This year, Samsung will be launching Digital Villages in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania also aimed to bridging the digital divide and serve as a catalyst for local business and government service delivery.
Within a Digital Village set-up, Samsung will also offer a Mother and Child Unit, which is equipped to offer comprehensive pre- and post-natal screening, care and education in an effort to reduce Africa’s high infant mortality rate.
Due to lack of electricity, most of this Digital Villages will be solar-powered.
Speaking at the 2016 Samsung Africa Forum, Abey Tau, Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs Manager, said: “We do this in four ways: by creating new learning opportunities so that young people can enjoy access to better education; by using our technical expertise to develop and provide access to new healthcare solutions; by supporting youth employment through vocational training and skills development; and by reducing our impact on the environment.”
Samsung already runs Samsung’s Engineering Academy and Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Academy providing free, intensive, hands-on training to graduates to develop skilled young African leaders who are adequately prepared for the world of employment and to reduce the shortage of scarce skills in the IT industry.
Zimbabwe will be a recipient of one of these academies this year.
In 2013, Samsung introduced the Solar Powered Health Centre, a shipping container fitted with the most advanced medical equipment and Samsung solar panels where patients can be screened at the centre to diagnose conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, tooth decay and cataracts. They can also access information on health issues.
Samsung has Mobile Health Centre, which uses technology to remotely connect to specialist doctors anywhere in the world to get expert opinion and diagnoses, communities quick access to primary healthcare, screening, mother and child facilities, dental care, eye testing and emergency care.
This year, Samsung will be establishing a Mobile Health Centre in Togo.