Considering the fact that the best of learning and influence is to ensure hands, Telecommunication giants Airtel Uganda opened its doors to the youngsters to take on key roles in the company as part of the World Children’s Day celebrations.
In its partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) , Airtel Uganda hosted the pupils of St. Posiano Kyamula primary School and tipped on how to prepare for future roles.
The move by Airtel Uganda and UNICEF is not only in line with the principle of Child participation also gives the pupils of St. Posiano Kyamula primary School the skill-sets required to excel in the workspaces they will be employed in time to come.
The Day is marked on 20th November annually and this year the celebrations centered on the theme “Inclusion, For Every Child,” highlighting the need to advocate, promote and celebrate children's rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.
The children were also tipped on the working skills of the different roles and responsibilities in the company, preparing them for their future careers.
Commenting on the initiative, Manoj Murali, the Managing Director at Airtel Uganda, said, “Children are the future leaders who will hold key positions of influence in the society.
He added that Airtel Uganda, innovates with the children in mind so that equitable education can be realized.
As part of the day’s activities, the children were divided into different departments to undertake different roles like service center agents, directors, and managerial positions as Airtel staff provided guidance. Through this arrangement, the telecom mentors the children by offering an opportunity for them to imagine themselves as leaders in Finance, IT, Human Resource, the Legal field, and Customer Service among others.
The children are inspired and exposed to what the future holds for them, and how they can harness their potential through the support of organizations like Airtel.
“It was exciting to see how the children assumed the different roles as the team at Airtel cheered them on. This day is dear to us since it gives us the opportunity to prepare the children with skills required in the market both as employees and employers.”-Manjo
Speaking on behalf of UNICEF Uganda, Rosemary Rugamba Rwanyange, the Unicef Uganda, Education Specialist says that such celebration activities inspires the children and gives them hope especially at a time when many bear the brunt and disruptions of the COVID pandemic and now Ebola Virus outbreak in Uganda.
“But times of crisis can also bring out the best in us and show how critical it is to invest in and transition education into the digital space. UNICEF Uganda and Airtel Uganda are collaborating for the next five years to ensure Every Child’s right to education is realized.” Rwanyange concluded.
Akoth Domitila, a pupil at St. Posiano Kyamula who was selected to give a vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues, said, “My dream is to become a lawyer, and Airtel has brought it to life, I was the Legal Director for the day. On behalf of the pupils at St. Posiano Kyamula, we thank Airtel Uganda for this opportunity and the support they always render to our school and other schools in the Airtel-Adopt a School program.”
World Children’s Day was established in 1954 and adopted in 1989 by the UN General Assembly to promote international togetherness, and awareness among children worldwide, while improving their welfare.