At Ekota, we are dedicated to empowering our community and creating real opportunities for young people to succeed. Recently, we took a significant step toward bridging the digital divide by providing laptops to families who previously had little to no access to a computer at home. Thanks to the generosity of the East London Business Alliance (ELBA), an outstanding organisation that connects businesses with local communities, we were able to distribute 30 laptops to families in need.
For many of these families, access to a computer has been a challenge, and for the children, it’s a critical need. Without a laptop, students can struggle to keep up with homework, miss out on valuable online learning resources, and fall behind in building digital skills that are increasingly important for academic and future career success. Through this initiative, Ekota and ELBA have helped open up new pathways for these young people, providing them not only with a device but with the means to learn, explore, and dream bigger.
We began by asking the children in our October holiday programme to complete a survey, to help identify which families were most in need, ensuring that the initiative reached those who would benefit most. The response was overwhelming, underscoring just how impactful this initiative would be. One parent, Mrs. Ahmed, shared her gratitude, saying, This laptop has made such a difference for us. My daughter can now keep up with her schoolwork without having to borrow from her cousins. I am very thankful to Ekota and ELBA for making this possible.” For the children, the excitement was immediate. Twelve-year-old Sumayyah shared her excitement, saying, “I’ve never had my own laptop before! Now I can do research for my homework and learn how to do coding, which I’m really excited about!” Stories like these highlight the incredible impact of this initiative, empowering students to take control of their learning and build confidence in their skills.
Our partnership with ELBA exemplifies our commitment to supporting our community, addressing real challenges, and providing resources where they are needed most. ELBA’s work in connecting businesses with local communities, offering resources, skills, and time to support young people, has been invaluable in making this initiative possible. Their support has allowed us to give these families a vital resource that will enhance learning and open new possibilities for the future. To learn more about ELBA and their exceptional work, we encourage you to visit their website at https://elba-1.org.uk.
This initiative is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when organisations and communities work together. Ekota remains dedicated to creating opportunities and empowering young people to succeed. With every initiative, we aim to build a stronger, more connected community where every child has the tools they need to thrive. Thanks to the support of partners like ELBA and the commitment of our community, we’re working together to create lasting change and brighter futures for every child.
