Helping Kids Learn During the Pandemic

At Oracle, we are committed to giving back in many ways. Our philanthropic efforts support environmental and sustainability initiatives, help fight poverty and disease, and promote human rights and social justice causes around the world.

But we understand that all those issues are underpinned by education. The eager and talented youth of today need to be in possession of the technological, social, emotional, creative and cognitive skills that give them a sense of efficacy and confidence in their ability to solve the problems of today and tomorrow. These skills are the foundation on which a better world can be built.

That’s why I feel particularly proud of Oracle's Focus on Education initiative, which runs every August through September and encourages Oracle employees to participate in volunteering opportunities around the world with schools and education-focused nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations.  Every year, Oracle Volunteers lend their time and energy to advancing education by helping kids learn how to read, code, empathize, and become the problem-solvers and creators of tomorrow.

Their work is especially important now. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted kids everywhere in profound and sometimes detrimental ways. Over the last year-and-a-half, children have been pulled out of schools and socially isolated, not only from their peers, but also from vital resources normally accessed at school – from internet connectivity and devices to school lunch and counseling. For economically challenged families, it's made it especially hard to support children's learning.

Here are some ways Oracle Volunteers are helping:

• Sharing career advice with students around the world through the CareerVillage online platform.
• Introducing students to careers in technology as part of Kasumigaseki Kids Virtual Workplace Tour in Japan. Oracle Volunteers designed a "smart cities" workshop that teaches students how cities are using data and digital technology to improve the quality of life for their residents.
• Teaming up with Oracle Education Foundation and Junior Achievement across Latin America, Oracle Volunteers are helping students design and code video games with positive social impact. We call it Games4Good.
• Providing school supplies to disadvantaged students across the United States and Europe to make sure they have what they need to be successful at home or in-person at school this year.
• Collecting and donating books to students in Kenya, and collecting and donating food to families with children in need in South Africa.
• Supporting projects across India, where the pandemic has been particularly devastating, from hosting arts and crafts workshops to teaching digital skills. Coming soon: over 90 Oracle Volunteers are participating in the huge September 17th Cyber Sprint that will teach 2,600 Indian students about privacy in social media, securing their devices, password hygiene, and how to protect themselves and others from a wide variety of cyber threats.

 I am grateful to our global crew of dedicated Oracle Volunteers for stepping up and lighting up the young hearts and minds that will brighten the future.