The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Microsoft gesture to needy NGOs

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Friday, Nov 28, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Microsoft gesture to needy NGOs

Staff Reporter

— PHOTO: P.V. SIVAKUMAR

Catching them young: A Microsoft employee teaches computer skills to a child at Cyberabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: It was five days of learning for 77 students of Sharada High School at the Microsoft Hyderabad campus in Gachibowli. “I had a great time and can never forget this week,” says an excited P. Sunitha.

The children went through a computer course as part of the Annual Giving Campaign and Community Week, an endeavour of those working at the Microsoft India Development Centre, Microsoft IT-India and Microsoft Global Services, that commenced on Monday to give ‘time, money and hope’ to the needy.

From tutoring children to auctioning paintings and washing cars, the employees were actively involved in raising money for needy NGOs. The fund-raising campaign that began on November 10 has so far raised Rs. 85 lakh through various activities.

The company also conducted ‘NGO Day’ to raise awareness among employees about NGOs and the causes they were associated with. Those in the leadership position also offered yoga and golf classes, General Manager’s office spaces for a day, washing cars, etc., to raise money.

This apart, the best 12 entries of a painting competition for children were lapped up by the employees of the company when they were auctioned.

For a social cause

The Community Week 2008 from November 24 to November 28 had employees dedicating time for social causes such as imparting computer skills, donating blood and painting a school, among other such activities.

Kalpana Sinha, Director, People and Organisation Capability, MS Hyderabad, told press persons that the campaign was an employee-volunteer driven event.

The company matched employees’ contribution to registered NGOs up to a maximum of Rs. 50,000. What this means is that money contributions get doubled with MS matching and given out to the listed NGOs depending upon their requirement.

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