Celebrating Five Years of Connection, Purpose, and Impact

Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of unconnected.org

Today, we celebrate a powerful milestone . Five years of connection. Five years of community. Five years of unwavering belief that no one should be left offline.

Our mission is bold and urgent: to eliminate digital poverty by bringing equitable, sustainable internet access to the world’s most underserved communities. And while the work is far from over, we’re taking this moment to reflect with gratitude, and with purpose.

A Mission That Hits Home

Today marks a truly special day for us at unconnected.org as we celebrate our fifth anniversary! Five years ago, we embarked on a bold mission: to eliminate digital poverty by making equitable digital access a global reality. Our vision is simple yet powerful: connecting the underserved to unlock opportunities, education, and a brighter future.

This milestone is a testament to the dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment of our entire team, partners, and the communities we serve. To commemorate this special day, we asked a few of our incredible team members to share their personal reflections on what being part of Unconnected.org means to them. Their stories truly highlight the heart of our mission.

"Though I’ve only been part of Unconnected for five months, it already feels like home. It feels like I’ve joined something much bigger than myself—a movement, a purpose, a family

- Opeyemi Arifo (Technical Support Manager)

Ope recently had a conversation with our co-founder that deeply resonated, highlighting the stark contrast in educational access globally. Her co-founder's determination to make an impact where possible truly crystallised unconnected's core mission: "We’re still making an impact, one community, one connection at a time." Ope is continually amazed by our culture of excellence and heart, our user-centered approach, and a team driven by empathy, urgency, and purpose.

"Joining as an ambassador in mid-2024, I immediately saw the profound impact of digital poverty and the urgent need for our mission to connect communities."

-Tobi Durojaiye (GM Nigeria)

Tobi's journey evolved, stepping into the Country Manager role for Nigeria in January 2025, where he's witnessed firsthand the incredible transformation internet access brings. For Tobi, being part of Unconnected.org is more than just a role; it's a commitment to a more equitable future.

"Joining Unconnected.org revitalized my sense of community especially in advocating for digital equity and connectivity for all."

- Benjz Gerard Sevilla(GM Philippines)

With a background in telecommunications policy and infrastructure, Benjz finds it "life-changing to see communities in the most rural of places being connected." He deeply appreciates working alongside like-minded organisations and individuals who contribute to a reliable, affordable, and secure internet in a sustainable way.

"Unconnected has provided a practical way for me to help people who were challenged in terms of digital connectivity, especially schools in rural areas of the Philippines."

- Jessieca Baris(Technical & Operations Manager Philippines)

Jessieca's engineering background is invaluable in connecting isolated islands, mountains, and remote areas. "Currently, in the Philippines, we have covered 2.5 million population of Filipinos across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and it validates the reason why I continue to provide support." For Jessieca, our mission is far from over—we will continue working until every unconnected area is reached.

“Every day, I’m surrounded by incredibly resilient, passionate people who are committed to this mission. Together are motivated by every story we hear about how connectivity changes lives, and this pushes us to do more!”

- Gabriella Powell (Communications Manager)

"Being part of unconnected.org has been such a joy!" - Jewel Ike-Obioha(Media Manager)

Our Social Media Manager joined in 2023, loving the opportunity to "tell the world about the amazing work we’re doing—connecting people, sharing stories, and closing the digital divide one community at a time." Growing with a team that truly cares has been both meaningful and fun, making this five-year milestone feel surreal.

These powerful testimonials underscore the dedication that drives us forward. It’s a joy and a privilege to walk this path with such passionate, forward-thinking change-makers.

Here’s to five years of incredible impact—and to the many more lives we'll touch in the years to come as we work towards a truly connected world! Thank you for being part of our journey.