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Sponsors

	Thuraya partners with SOS Children’s Villages to connect remote communities in the Central African Republic October 23, 2014 Thuraya Telecommunications Company, announced its partnership with SOS Children’s Villages International’s Gulf Area Office to bring satellite connectivity to remote communities in the Central African Republic (CAR). The collaboration facilitates communication between SOS Children’s Villages in the CAR, helping the charitable organization connect its programs as well as coordinate emergency preparedness and response teams within the remote communities they work in. Thuraya’s donation includes Public Calling Office units, Thuraya SatSleeves and Thuraya IP+ broadband terminals as well as Thuraya SIM cards and airtime. The donation is in support of SOS Children’s Villages’ philosophy of providing long-term, family-based care for children who have lost parental care. The organization also works with struggling families and communities in remote areas to develop young minds and strengthen these communities for a brighter future. Nicole Nassar, Gulf Area Office Managing Director appreciates the contribution, “We thank Thuraya for their generous donation as we nurture the children and families in these remote communities. Thuraya’s satellite equipment and services will benefit our teams that are providing vital care in terms of education, development and community building. We are also coordinating efforts between the communities to ensure that they are prepared for any emergencies. Every bit of support we receive will enable us to build sustainable communities for the future.” Under SOS Children’s Village’s Central African Republic purview, there are approximately 2,000 IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) living in its villages, schools and other facilities along with 2,600 orphaned and vulnerable child originally living in its care. Due to the lack of communication infrastructure in the CAR, SOS Children’s Villages and their teams rely on satellite communications to coordinate the provision of food, healthcare, security and other services between its various locations to cater to the welfare of the people under their care.
	Bilal El Hamoui, Vice President of Commercial at Thuraya said, “Despite the arrival of fiber to the Africa coasts, many Africans today remain without terrestrial connectivity in the remote communities they live in. Thuraya is proud to collaborate with SOS Children’s Villages, which allows us to help their field workers to stay connected through mobile satellite connectivity. We believe in responsible social development and will contribute in our way to help SOS Children’s Villages teams facilitate social development and emergency preparedness towards building a sustainable future in these remote communities.”