Cargill Helps Computer Aid International Bridge Digital Divide in Zambia

COBHAM, England, December 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Cargill's cotton business in collaboration with the King Edward VII Lancashire Cotton Growing Endowment fund have donated over £26,000 to provide computer and internet access for the Kampamule Basic School in the Katete district of Zambia.  

These 11 computers are part of the Zubabox - an innovative solar-powered container which powers the computers and provides access to the internet via satellite link. It was developed by Computer Aid International as a cost effective solution that would provide access to computers and the internet for rural communities in the developing world.  

The ZubaBox requires no wired internet or electricity supply and is designed to be shipped as one complete unit wherever it is installed.

Speaking on behalf of Cargill, Andrew Thomas, Director Cargill Cotton Ltd UK said: "We are really excited to be able to provide the Kampumule Basic School with what is in effect an all-in-one computer library. Research shows that access to computers and the internet can improve education and learning by 40-60%. This is particularly crucial in rural communities where education opportunities may be limited."

This investment means that students will have access to computer equipment and internet access, greatly enhancing the scope and complexity of their learning. The Zubabox will also provide the broader community with a resource outside school hours.  

Thomas continued: "We have been working with a large number of cotton farmers in Katete district for many years and a lot of their children attend this school. We are pleased to be continuing our investment in their community and enabling not just the children but the broader community to reap the rewards of this innovative solution!"

A local primary school in Lancashire will also link up with the Kampamule Basic School.  

Notes for editors:

About Cargill

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 138,000 people in 63 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to sharing its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business.

For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

About Cargill cotton

Cargill's cotton business is one of the top cotton merchants in the world. Cargill's UK cotton business is based in Liverpool, the traditional home of cotton trading and has operations in Tashkent, Johannesburg, Harare, Chipata and Brisbane that specialise in cotton procurement.

Although cotton is grown in over 100 countries, there are only a handful of major exporting countries and Cargill's cotton business is prominent in many of these countries. Cargill's UK cotton business key supply areas are Central Asia, West Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, Australia, and the Indian sub-continent.

CONTACT:

Wendy Garbutt: +44(0)1932-861174
wendy_garbutt@cargill.com