Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker’s foundation has teamed up with global satellite company Intelsat to bring internet-powered education to remote communities in East Africa.
The group, known as the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), was founded by Whitaker to support peacebuilding and development in areas affected by conflict. Through this new partnership, WPDI and Intelsat will provide satellite internet to 10 learning centres – seven in South Sudan and three in Uganda – where access to the internet is very poor. Many of these areas have suffered years of war and a lack of infrastructure, making it difficult for young people to receive a good education.
Under the three-year plan, Intelsat will supply the satellite equipment, carry out installations, and provide technical support to ensure a fast and stable internet service. This will enable young people to participate in online learning, digital training, and virtual classes, thereby enhancing their technical skills and knowledge. Whitaker, who is also a peace ambassador, emphasised that education is key to achieving lasting peace. “With the right tools, young people affected by war can change their lives and help their communities,” he said.
Some of WPDI’s past students are already making an impact. One of them, Benson Lugwar, was once a child soldier in Uganda. Today, he is a radio presenter and an elected community leader. Currently, only about 19% of people in low-income countries, such as South Sudan and Uganda, have access to the internet. The new partnership aims to reduce this number and provide more young people with the opportunity to build better futures.
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