Alcatel Foundation Donates $20,000 to SOS Children’s Villages

Alcatel-Lucent through its foundation has doled out $20,000 in support of SOS Children’s Villages Youth Empowerment Programme, a vocational/entrepreneurship and leadership training for young Nigerians designed to assist youths become more self-sufficient.

By this donation, Alcatel-Lucent Foundation will support twenty young adults – including unemployed graduates, vocational trainees and final-year students – in learning entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills that will help them face day-to-day challenges and give them a jump start into the world of work.

On the process, the group will develop the attitude, behavior, confidence and skills needed to take responsibility for building their own futures and to become successful and contributing members of society.

In addition to the grant, Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria employees will participate in a coaching and mentorship volunteering programme.

They will assist teachers on a wide range of areas like Languages (Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, English, Arabic, French), Mathematics, Basic Science, Social and civic education.

Also there will be some courses and coaching for youth employability to prepare them to jump into the professional life with lessons in English, email writing, resume preparation, professional attitude, life experience in a professional environment and so on.

At the mock cheque presentation ceremony, Amr K. El-Leithy, president, Alcatel-Lucent for Middle-East, Africa, Turkey seized the opportunity to acknowledge with enthusiasm the fantastic work of SOS Children villages Nigeria and of course the great participation and efforts of the Company’s 40 volunteers.

El-Leithy, said, “Today, I am very proud to be here with you, I am proud because the SOS Children Villages in Nigeria has given Alcatel-Lucent Foundation the opportunity to lend our support to their youth empowerment program. This fantastic program will help provide twenty young people with a head-start towards an independent life with the necessary skills to succeed professionally and become leaders in tomorrow’s world”.

Also, Bishalakhi Ghosh, director, Alcatel-Lucent Foundation identified one of the focus areas of the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation as helping youth from disadvantaged areas have access to training and to help them prepare for life, for the business world and the future.

“This program with youths from SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria is a true example of this effort, and we do believe that we can make a difference by helping them to contribute as citizens and community leaders in tomorrow’s world,” Ghosh added.

Furthermore, Hatim Zougari, country manager, Alcatel-Lucent Nigeria said: “I am delighted that we can lend our support to the youth empowerment program of SOS Children’s Villages in Nigeria. This program will help provide these youth with a head-start towards an independent life with the professional skills necessary to succeed in a globalized world. It is really great that we can take part in changing peoples’ lives in the communities where we work and live”

Appreciating the gesture, Eghosa Erhumwunse, national director, SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria, said: “We are delighted seeing Alcatel-Lucent as a reliable partner supporting our work with children/youth in Nigeria.

“It is really encouraging building synergy that is needed to empower youth to become independent and contributing member of their community, with this vocational/entrepreneurship and leadership program, Alcatel-Lucent is already sharing in the development of the youth communities. The coaching and mentorship volunteering program, as well as providing assistance to teachers in Hermann Gmeiner Schools has further reaffirmed the importance of partnership and synergy building in contributing to the development of children and youth in Nigeria”

The SOS vocational training centre was founded in 1995 and is located within the SOS Children’s Villages Nigeria in Lagos. Over 190 trainees are currently benefiting from the wide range of programs offered by this centre at the moment.The project in Nigeria continues the Alcatel-Lucent Foundation’s long relationship with SOS Children’s Villages, having previously supported projects in India, the United States and Morocco.

The Foundation’s commitment to these projects is part of Alcatel-Lucent’s initiatives worldwide to address global challenges such as digital inclusion and sustainability. The focal point of the Foundation’s activity is centered around supporting educational programs for young people. This is further strengthened by the passion of Alcatel-Lucent employees for volunteering, investing their personal time and skills to help communities in which they live and work.