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Students Taking IT to African Kids

Billie Sule and Matthew Baker holding a computer keyboard Two Bournemouth University students are heading for Africa to share their knowledge of computing with school children – many of whom have never seen a computer in their young lives.

Billie Sule and Matthew Baker are spending the placement year of their BSc (Hons) in Multimedia Communication Systems establishing the charity "IT Kidz of Africa".

The charity will start by transporting at least 60 PCs to seven primary schools in the suburbs of Lagos, the capital of Nigeria.

The computers have been donated by Bournemouth University and additional IT and office equipment provided by GKN Aerospace, Hamworthy Heating and members of the public.

Billie is originally from the region but more recently has lived in the UK.

She founded IT Kidz after attending a rally organised by the National Council of Graduate Entrepreneurship, and hopes her local knowledge, combined with IT skills, will make a difference.

Billie Sule and Matthew Baker loading computers into a car boot “It is very important that we inspire interest from kids as they will shape the face of Africa for the future.”

Billie: “Some children in private primary schools in Nigeria have access to computers but children in state funded primary schools don’t have access to IT facilities or teaching."

The website www.itkidzofafrica.org follows the progress of the project.

The pair is seeking further help from businesses and other organisations, most importantly with funding and donations of equipment.

A full ‘wishlist’ appears on the website.

For further information about IT Kidz of Africa, or to make offers of help, please email info@itkidzofafrica.org.

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