Johannesburg – MTN Group has announced its Sudan operation as the winner of this year’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care employee volunteerism programme. The programme, which ran for 21 days in June, saw over 9000 employees across the company’s footprint dedicating their time and efforts to uplifting local communities. The initiative benefitted over 256 000 people across the company’s operations.

From 01 to 21 June, MTN employees partnered with a myriad of institutions to provide laptops, electronic boards, data, and training in ICT skills. In recognition of the impact of the projects, MTN Group awards prizes to the top four performing operations. This year, MTN Sudan claimed the coveted Group President and CEO prize of US$ 100 000.

MTN Sudan’s CEO, Malik Melamu said: “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to MTN Sudan employees. Every year I see them coordinate their efforts all in the name of doing good in our communities, it is great that their efforts are recognised”.

MTN Sudan partnered with key stakeholders to uplift small enterprises; partners included an online shopping and logistics platform which created a merchant account for one of its beneficiaries that works with disabled people, offering them services for free. While another partner offered training at a discounted rate to beneficiaries for 12 months.

Throughout the programme, approximately 99 educational institutions were positively impacted across the MTN footprint. Furthermore, close to 7500 students were given career guidance through a new addition to the programme dubbed Y’ello Career Day. The career day was aimed at empowering young people by preparing them for the future of work through sharing insights into the digital future.

MTN Afghanistan received the Vice President Award for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The operating company was lauded for their excellent execution of the Y’ello Career Day, and other impactful programmes, which included the provision of brand ambassador training to female youth and the launch of a capacity building centre.

The Vice President Award for the Southern, East Africa and Ghana (SEAGHA) region went to MTN Uganda. The operation implemented a waste management campaign while simultaneously providing young people with training and tools on how to generate an income from waste.

MTN Benin received the Vice President Award for the West and Central Africa (WECA) region for their innovative use of ICT for educational purposes. As part of their main campaign, the team engaged with the Ministry of Education and collaborated with education experts to deliver e-learning content to students via the company’s digital classrooms as well as Facebook, to help them prepare for exams.

Recipients of the Vice President regional awards each receive US $30 000; all prize money received by the operations will be ploughed back into future community projects.

MTN Group Manager for Government Relations and CSI, Miranda Davids, said: “since its inception, 21 Days of Y’ello Care has had one primary objective, and that is to transform the lives of people where we operate. I am particularly proud of all MTNers that heed the call every year and dedicate their efforts to social good. I am excited about the future of the programme as this year we have re-oriented our CSI strategy to focus on Youth Empowerment. I look forward to seeing the lives of youth impacted for the better”.