TIGO supports UNICEF's four projects with over 354m/-

By Prosper Makene

Shavkat Berdiev - Chief Commercial Officer at Tigo (L) and UNICEF Tanzania's Representative Dr Jama Gulaid (R) charting shortly after Tigo, under Millicom International Cellular (MIC) Tanzania Limited offers to support the children of Tanzania through four projects initiated and supported by UNICEF Tanzania.

 Millicom International Cellular (MIC) which trades locally as Tigo has offered a whopping 354.6m/- to support four children charity projects initiated by UNICEF Tanzania.

 

The mobile phone company said the US$ 165,000 (approx. 354,625,172/- will run between 2016 and 2018 and specifically target under five birth registration initiative, the national child helpline, the ‘Tupime watoto’ (HIV testing of children) initiative and UNICEF Tanzania’s innovations lab.

After signing a memorandum of understanding and handing over of the contribution, Tigo general manager, Diego Gutierrez said the company is committed to helping children, families and communities in the country. 

 

“Through this initiative Tigo clearly demonstrates its corporate social responsibility commitment of mobilizing community through the use of digital solutions. We are proud to be partnering with UNICEF and we will continue to work with them on other innovative and exciting projects to reach the most vulnerable children,” Gutierez said.

 

UNICEF Tanzania’s representative, Dr. Jama Gulaid said paid tribute to the cellular phone service company saying Tigo has consistently supported UNICEF’s work in the country.

 

“In the past two years, we have worked with Tigo and the Registration Insolvency and Trusteeship Agency (RITA) on an innovative campaign that helps children gets birth certificates with minimum hassles,” he said.

 

“The success of the birth certificate initiative in Mbeya inspired similar action in Mwanza Region. I commend Tigo for its readiness to engage in a public and private sector partnership for children in Tanzania,” Dr. Gulaid added.

 

A name and nationality is every child’s right, enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child. In Tanzania where only one in five children under the age of five is registered at birth, we have much work to do together – the government, private sector, communities and development partners, he said.

 

The mobile birth registration (mBirth) is a tool that helps register kids in a simple, affordable and accessible to many in Tanzania. 

 

The Birth project has already been established in two regions - Mbeya and Mwanza – through funding donated by Canada through UNICEF and with assistance from Tigo, RITA and other partners.

 

The ‘TupimeWatoto’ project aims to expand HIV testing for children in Tanzania using mobile technology. 

 

The National Child Helpline was launched in 2013, with the aim to provide a response to child victims of violence and help them to access services. 

 

With Tigo’s support, UNICEF will be able to upgrade the National Child Helpline’s call centre to help in providing effective and timely responses to callers and improved access to services.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN