The project known as LG Ambassador: Social Impact Challenge aims to identify innovative and impactful community initiatives that respond to real problems in local communities, and supporting them financially to achieve the desired goals. The idea behind the initiative came from a similar initiative by LG Electronics in Bangladesh that has so far benefited over 400 families by improving food security and tackling poverty. In December, LG Electronics in Kenya invited entries for the Social Impact Challenge covering projects having great community impact but in need of funding. After the competition which ran between December 7 – 24, three entries were picked to receive funding of up to Ksh 985,000 per project. LG has partnered with Korea Food for the Hungry International, a Christian NGO that promotes awareness about hunger and poverty around the world to launch the initiative in Kenya. The projects were evaluated using criteria like effectiveness, necessity, efficiency, specificity and feasibility. The first project at Kilimani Primary School in Nairobi will purchase braille machines to cater for the needs of learners with hearing and speaking impairments. The project will receive Ksh 950,000. The second project, Buela Girls Empowerment in Kajiado County, seeks to expand opportunities for young girls to achieve their dreams by keeping them in school and providing them with essential items like sanitary pads. The project will also receive support to the tune of Ksh 950,000 comprising sanitary towels to be distributed to girls in various primary schools. The third project at Limuru Soccer Academy in Kiambu County seeks to address poverty and idleness among youth by promoting sporting activities like football to keep young men and women from engaging in vices like crime and drug abuse. This project will receive a total of Ksh 950,000 which will go towards purchasing 6 motorbikes, soccer balls, playing kits and starting a sports equipment shop. LG Electronics East Africa Managing Director, Sa Nyoung Kim, said the objective of the LG Ambassador program is to empower individuals with a strong passion for social change to achieve their vision. “The Social Impact Challenge supports those with strong commitment and passion to solve problems and advance their communities to become LG Ambassadors. They show strong affection for their communities and are knowledgeable about the social problems they want to solve,” said Mr. Kim while presenting cheques to the project beneficiaries. He added: “As a responsible business, LG Electronics believes in increasing social value by investing in under-privileged communities. At the global level, we are committed to working with local communities to ensure the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals.” Speaking on behalf Korea Food for the Hungry International, Mr. Eric Oseko said the LG Ambassador: Social Impact Challenge is a noble initiative that will transform the lives of the beneficiaries. “We are proud to be associated with this project as it will empower young people to overcome personal challenges and imbue them with hope and a desire to achieve their dreams,” said Mr. Oseko. The LG Ambassador: Social Impact Challenge was first launched in Bangladesh last year. In April 2020, LG Bangladesh posted about the Program on its Facebook page encouraging followers to submit social development projects that can alleviate challenges facing people due to Covid-19. Some of the projects that received LG support include a food security and cleanliness program targeting 174 families; a poultry project by 100 persons with disabilities; distribution of boats to forest inhabitants of the Munda tribe; and purchase of domestic animals for 135 families at Panchagar Zila.
