SpaceX has been awarded a grant to provide 549 Starlink systems to residential childcare institutions in nine African countries. The grant, valued at approximately $1 million, covers equipment, installation, and a year of broadband service. The program aims to help care providers digitize children's records and coordinate work with government agencies and families.
The grant is part of a larger initiative by Both Ends Believing, a US nonprofit organization that works with governments and care providers to support family placement efforts. The organization aims to supply 750 systems across 16 countries in Africa and Latin America. The program uses Children First Software, which helps digitize records and support family placement efforts.
Kenya is one of the countries set to benefit from the program, with 27 Starlink systems allocated to childcare institutions. According to reports, the equipment has already arrived in Kenya, with deployment targeted for March 2027. Other countries, including Nigeria and Uganda, will see deployment in May 2027. Nigeria has the largest allocation, with 210 systems, followed by Uganda with 106.
The program aims to provide reliable internet access to childcare institutions, enabling staff to access and share case information with authorized partners. This can help speed up family tracing and placement efforts, although the impact will depend on how institutions use the service and how local child protection agencies act on the information.
Both Ends Believing president Bruce Graham emphasized the importance of reliable internet access for childcare institutions, stating that every child deserves to be visible, protected, and connected to family and opportunity. The grant covers the first 12 months of service, after which participating homes will be eligible for subsidized subscriptions.
The success of the program in Kenya will be measured by whether staff can process cases faster, keep children's records secure, and budget for connectivity once the first year ends. The program has the potential to make a significant impact on childcare institutions in Africa, providing them with the tools and resources needed to support vulnerable children.
The partnership between SpaceX and Both Ends Believing highlights the potential for technology to support social causes. With the grant, childcare institutions in nine African countries will have access to reliable internet, enabling them to better support the children in their care.
Key points
- The grant covers equipment, installation, and a year of broadband service for 549 Starlink systems.
- The program aims to help care providers digitize children's records and coordinate work with government agencies and families.
- Deployment of the Starlink systems is targeted for March 2027 in most participating countries and May in Nigeria and Uganda.
