Zoho, MOMO pencils partner to support, spread environmental awareness

Global tech company Zoho has partnered with MOMO Pencils, a local manufacturer of eco-friendly stationery, to donate 25,000 wood-free pencils across 10 schools in Kenya and plant 1,000 tree saplings in those schools throughout this year.

Dubbed the “Hope for Literacy” campaign, they aim to work together to provide access to quality education for children from underserved communities in the country.

They also aim to spread awareness in schools about the importance of environmental sustainability and eco-conscious community development.

Speaking while launching the campaign, Zoho Kenya country head Veerakumar Natarajan said the program aligns with the tech company’s values.

He further said that the union is a way for them to give back to the community as they target to start with 10 schools for the first quarter.

“We have invested close to Sh2-2.5 million into this program. We have also been using MOMO pencils for all of our events and as part of this partnership, we are also purchasing 10,000 pencils that we plan to put to use in Kenya and even within East Africa for our events,” Natarajan said.

“As part of our commitment to continue supporting progress at the grassroots level, we are looking forward to working with MOMO pencils to make a lasting and positive impact on society and the environment.”

On his part, MOMO Pencils CEO Mahamud Omari noted that they will, at the initial stages, start with schools around Machakos County and will subsequently spread across other counties.

The campaign was last Friday launched at Creative Minds Primary School, Athi River.

Omari also said for the tree planting, they will be focusing on fruits trees because they have more benefits.

“You still get the same shade, and they can even reduce deforestation. The produce obtained from such trees is also very nutritious. If there is an excess, a school can sell the extra and the money earned is channelled to other projects,” he said.

“Our kids today are suffering in school because of mistakes that were made 30, 40 years back regarding the environment. But if we can impact them, they can become environmental advocates.”

Omari added that children learn by experience so when a child plants a fruit tree, this presents a chance for them to learn about the specific tree as well as become responsible for the growth of the tree as they end up taking care of it while in school.

“Just like the way we create our pencils using old newspapers, we are trying to create a circular economy for the children for a long and sustainable future,” Omari added.

The eco-friendly pencils are made from 100% recycled newspaper with the vision of a pencil that changes the world.

Omari said this is the third time they are running the campaign with a mission of empowering one million children in Kenya as well as planting one million trees.

“In Kenya, where millions of children face barriers to quality education due to poverty, the “Hope for Literacy” program was established to bridge the literacy gap by supporting the education of 1 million school-going children from marginalized families. We’re delighted to have Zoho join us as one of our partners in this journey of transforming Kenyan families, schools, and communities,” Omari said.

He further said this idea was inspired by damning statistics indicating that 33.4 per cent of families find it hard to afford the costs associated with schooling , many of which are caused by poverty.