Press Release: Unconnected.org and Aria Systems Bridge the Digital Divide for Heartspring in Kenya
June 25, 2024 – Unconnected.org, a non-profit championing global internet connectivity, is excited to announce its impactful partnership with Aria Systems, the leader in empowering enterprises to accelerate subscription usage-based revenue growth. Together, they are empowering students at Heartspring, a small village school located in Kenya's western Nyanza province. The Nyanza province faces significant challenges, including one of the highest HIV rates in the country. This initiative aims to equip students at Heartspring, which also serves as an orphanage for children aged 7-12, with the tools and knowledge they need to build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
Empowering Heartspring's 380 Students and 80 Orphans
Previously lacking internet connectivity, Heartspring students, including the 80 orphans who call it home, faced limitations in accessing the vast online learning landscape. Unconnected.org brought internet access to the school in November 2023. However, with only 12 laptops for 380 students, digital learning opportunities remained restricted. Aria’s generous contribution has enabled Heartspring to acquire additional hardware, fostering a more robust learning environment and empowering all students to reach their full potential.
"Unconnected.org is thrilled to partner with Aria Systems in empowering the future leaders of Heartspring," said Gabriella Powell (at Unconnected.org). "By providing access to technology and online resources, we are opening doors to a world of possibilities for these students."
A Spark of Excitement in Uncertain Times
While the school term had been temporarily postponed due to flooding in Kenya, the arrival of the new hardware sparked excitement and anticipation among students and teachers. Unpacking the equipment and witnessing the students' joy serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative impact technology can have on education.
Investing in the Future, Together
Unconnected.org and Aria Systems are committed to a long-term collaboration, measuring the impact of this initiative on Heartspring’s student's academic success. They plan to explore further avenues of support, including:
Volunteer Opportunities: Aria employees will be encouraged to volunteer their time and expertise to support unconnected.org projects.
Mentorship Programs: Connecting students with mentors who can offer guidance and support for their academic and professional aspirations.
Expanding Access: Working together to identify opportunities to secure additional funding and resources to provide greater knowledge access for every student.
“Unconnected.org is leading the way in the telecommunications sector by providing both connectivity and devices to those who are unconnected,” says Akil Chomoko, Vice President of Product Marketing at Aria Systems. “Their approach to raising awareness of this global issue is truly inspirational, and we at Aria are immensely proud to support their mission and spread the word.”
Chomoko also emphasized the transformative impact of connectivity, stating, “Web access unlocks vast opportunities for social development, individual advancement, and community cohesion. Small improvements can go a long way.”
Aria Systems and Unconnected.org are proud to partner on this journey. Together, they are bridging the digital divide and igniting the potential for a brighter future for those who are currently unconnected.
About Unconnected.org
Unconnected.org is a non-profit organisation dedicated to connecting underserved communities around the world to the internet. By providing reliable internet access and digital resources, Unconnected.org empowers individuals and communities to access education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
About Aria Systems
Aria enables enterprises to automate complex usage and subscription billing in an agile market environment. Aria Billing Cloud is top-rated by leading research firms, and innovative enterprises including Adobe, Comcast, Experian, Subaru, and Telstra depend on Aria to accelerate ideation, become customer-centric, and grow recurring revenues. For more information, visit https://www.ariasystems.com/.
Media Contact:
gpowell@unconnected.org