Kano and Theirworld team up to empower children around the world

Today on #GivingTuesday computer kit innovator, Kano, has announced it is giving Theirworld three hundred of its award-winning computer kits to support the charity’s innovative new projects for vulnerable children around the world.

The Kano kits are DIY computer and coding kits specially designed to inspire children to learn, make and play with technology, enabling a lifelong passion for code, computing and the arts. The kits are designed to be built simply on site – just like Lego.

The first set of kits have been rolled out in early November, as part of a pilot project in Lebanon in a double-shift school teaching Syrian refugee children. Theirworld President Sarah Brown was there to distribute the kits in the school, where they will support the learning for 600 Syrian refugee children.

Through these projects Theirworld will be supporting children overcome barriers to learning even when a school place is available. Access to technology provides a window to the world and access to thousands of learning resources. In addition enabling children to learn and create with code equips them with skills and confidence for a brighter future.

President of Theirworld, Sarah Brown “This is a generous donation from Kano, marking the spirit of this global day of giving. On a recent trip to Lebanon visiting Syrian refugee children who have just returned to school, we were able to provide some of these kits to a classroom. The children were excited to play with the kits, build and learn about coding.”

Yonatan Raz-Fridman, co-founder and President of Kano says “We believe that every child should have the opportunity to make, learn and play with technology and seeing the children using our computer kits in Lebanon last week was absolutely inspiring. Supporting Theirworld’s innovative projects is an exciting opportunity for us. It shows that any organisation can do whatever they can – big or small – to help give children a brighter future”

As well as the project in Lebanon the Kano kits will be an integral part of Theirworld’s new girls’ code clubs that will be rolled out in the new-year in four countries across Africa. The aim is to create specialist clubs for girls to build, learn and create in a safe environment through technology and coding. The programme is a partnership led by Theirworld with Kano, Codecademy and Africa Gathering.

Theirworld believe every child deserves the right to go to school and reach their potential. There are 62 million girls around the world who are out of school, making them the most disadvantaged children in the world. The charity believes that technology has the potential to unlock learning opportunities to empower girls, and with these code clubs aim to show that with basic access to technology, and a safe space you can expand learning opportunities, to empower girls and give them a brighter future.

Sarah Brown continues: “These computer kits will also be an integral part of our new code clubs in Africa, which will provide a safe space for girls to come together and use technology to help their learning and provide them with the skills they need to thrive and build a future they dream about. A hope and desire that Theirworld share with Kano.”

Yonatan Raz-Fridman continued: “With over 1.3 billion children born since YouTube was launched, there is a whole new generation that can be creative, engaged and connected. If we give them the tools, skills and inspiration, we can empower them to: learn, not just play; make, not just consume; share, not just create, and ultimately, shape the world around them, regardless of age, gender and geographic location. We would have a world of curious, creative and productive citizens – ultimately, making the world a better place.”