Zong, Pakistan’s No.1 4G Network, has setup a state-of-the-art 4G internet lab for street children of the local community at Mashal Model School. Mashal Model School is a registered trust with the government of Pakistan that is providing education to marginalized children through community involvement in the Bari Imam area of Islamabad. The school has a current enrollment of over 860 children, majority of whom have never been to school before. Most of these children dwell in nearby slums and are also the bread earners for their families.
Zong partnered with Mashal Model School to set up a 4G Internet lab, with laptops and Zong 4G enabled Mi-Fi connectivity. For this activity, a room at the school, which was previously in a dilapidated state, was completely renovated and reconditioned by Zong’s “New Hope” volunteers, with the help of professional staff.
The “new-look” room was unveiled to a set of excited children at the school where Zong’s volunteers held learning sessions to exhibit internet usage to the students. Since it was the first interaction of most children with the virtual universe, it was received with a lot of awe, joy and curiosity.
It is to be noted that over the last few years, Zong has carried a socially responsible enterprise image and has shown a serious resolve in delivering on its social responsibilities. Under the banner of ‘A NEW HOPE’ Zong recently launched its Employee Volunteer Program that encourages employees to donate hours for volunteer activities. Under a detailed methodology, the program aims at greater social inclusion through aiding the welfare of the underprivileged segments of the society.
The setting up of 4G lab for street children is a stride in the direction of social inclusion and internet accessibility for all segments of the society. Efforts such as this serve as a catalyst in igniting a positive social change and impact the community by providing a renewed sense of hope.
