Do your bit to bridge Africa's digital divide

Next February three employees from CNET Networks UK, publisher of ZDNet UK, are going to be visiting Africa — and cycling 400km across Kenya — to cap off a six-month-long fundraising project to bridge the digital divide.

In association with Computer Aid International, the project is looking to raise enough money to fit out complete computer suites in several Kenyan schools where access to computers can make a massive difference to the quality of education and the quality of life.

One large technology company that has already thrown its support behind CNET Networks UK's fundraising effort is Ricoh.

Chas Moloney, associate director of marketing at Ricoh UK, said: "Ricoh has made a great many commitments to sustainability and to bridging the digital divide but our work in this area, and that of the IT industry as a whole, is far from done.

"We saw this as an excellent opportunity to extend our commitment to addressing these issues and it's an honour to be associated with a project which should make a real, tangible difference to the quality of life of future generations of kids yet to realise the benefits technology can offer."

CNET Networks UK will be covering the costs of the trip to Kenya ensuring all money raised by sponsors such as Ricoh will go directly to the charity, and every penny will make a difference.

Tom Bureau, managing director of CNET Networks UK, said: "These issues are very close to our hearts and should be key concerns for everybody involved in the IT industry. CNET Networks UK is delighted to be backing Computer Aid because of the excellent work they do taking technology into areas where it can make the greatest difference."

ZDNet UK's own executive editor, Andrew Donoghue, will be one of the team of three cycling across Kenya, accompanied by silicon.com's Will Sturgeon and CNET Networks UK's Helen Cooke. You can find out more on their blog, and you can make a donation at their JustGiving.com Web site.

For more information on how you or your company can get involved in supporting this excellent cause, please email Andrew Donoghue.