BIC, a global leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, marked Global Education Week in Nairobi, Kenya, with a transformative initiative at Mwiki Primary School in Githurai. As part of its ongoing commitment to education, the company renovated the school’s facilities to foster an inspiring learning environment, aiming to enhance the educational journey for students.
Global Education Week, an annual event celebrated by BIC in November, underscores the company’s dedication to advancing education within its communities. During this period, BIC employees worldwide volunteer their time to support diverse educational initiatives.
Empowering Students Through Holistic Support
Paloma Lengema, General Manager of BIC East Africa, emphasized the company’s role in shaping the future of education:
“We are a responsible corporate citizen and a global stationery leader. It is our responsibility to support the communities in which we operate. Our commitment to education is evident through initiatives we run across the year. In Africa, our approach to education is holistic; where we equip students with the necessary writing tools to achieve academic performance, renovate school facilities to create inspiring learning environments, unleash youth’s creativity outside of the classroom through our flagship program, Art Master Africa, and finally support students as they enter the workforce through various programs including our previous partnership with Enactus. We are committed to playing our role in inspiring creativity and supporting our country’s generation of the future.”
Salome Ngugi, BIC East AFrica Marketing Team Centre with BIC Team Painting Mwiki Primary School, GIthurai
Impact on Mwiki Primary School
The renovation project at Mwiki Primary School brought joy to students and teachers alike. Speaking about the initiative, Head Teacher Mr. Peter Muriithi said:
“Our students were ecstatic to see the renovated classrooms and school facilities. This has a tremendous impact on students wanting to be in school and their commitment to education. We are grateful for partners like BIC who are committed to supporting the sector and supporting us to provide students with the right ecosystem to help them achieve academic excellence.”
Advancing Education Globally and Locally
Now in its fifth year, Global Education Week has positively impacted thousands of students and teachers worldwide. BIC’s broader commitment to education aims to improve learning conditions for 250 million students globally by 2025, as outlined in its sustainable development program, Writing the Future Together. To date, BIC has reached approximately 200 million students.
In addition to infrastructure improvements, the company provides teachers with resources like the Creativity Educator’s Guide, developed by the BIC Foundation. This guide helps teachers incorporate creativity into their lessons, fostering self-expression in classrooms.
BIC’s Educational Initiatives in Kenya
BIC Kenya’s educational programs run throughout the year, with notable initiatives including:
- Express Myself with My BIC Pen: A penmanship program aiding students in transitioning from pencils to pens while encouraging creative expression through writing and drawing.
- Buy Me and BIC Will Donate a Pen: Launched in 2020, this program donates a pen to a child in need for every BIC pen sold, impacting over 1.5 million students in Kenya to date.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Through its efforts at Mwiki Primary School and beyond, BIC continues to strengthen its position as a catalyst for educational transformation. By enhancing learning environments, empowering teachers, and fostering creativity, the company demonstrates its unwavering commitment to nurturing the leaders of tomorrow.