![](images/07foundationhead.jpg) Feb. 2007
Education truly is a great equalizer, and HP knows that technology can play a vital role in education. We believe technology should be accessible to everyone in the world as a means to learn, work and benefit from information. To help make this possible, HP develops and supports philanthropic programs and partnerships in education around the world. In 2006, we collaborated with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation in support of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa, committing to invest more than $500,000 in equipment and technical support over the next three years. The Academy's objective offering disadvantaged academically talented girls an opportunity to develop their full intellectual, social and leadership potential aligns directly with HP's vision of increasing access to technology and accelerating economic development in underserved communities around the world.
"We're delighted that HP is supporting our vision that every student at the Leadership Academy has access to a computer to accelerate her learning potential," said Caren Yanis, Executive Director of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy Foundation. Among the HP products featured at the school are HP Compaq nc6400 notebook PCs, HP Compaq dx2200 desktop PCs, 17-inch HP L1706 Flat Panel monitors, HP ScanJet 8350 scanners and HP LaserJet 2420 printers.
![View of two girls in front of a computer](images/07foundation-1.jpg)
Students at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls learn on HP technology.
Credit: Copyright: 2007 Harpo Productions, Inc./All Rights
Reserved./Photographer: Benny Gool.
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Oprah's philosophy to help develop and empower the next generation of South Africa's leaders also mirrors HP's belief that enriching and inspiring youth leadership is what drives systemic change. Over the past decade and in dozens of communities around the world from the streets of São Paolo, Brazil to rural India to Native American reservations HP has witnessed the power of putting future leaders on a level playing field. Together with key participants from the international development sector, government and local communities, HP has deployed technology that sparks new ways of thinking, brings business plans to life and makes dreams real.
HP's work with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls South Africa is only the most recent example of our longstanding and ongoing commitment to education. In 2006 alone, HP contributed more than $17 million to schools, colleges and universities around the world and more than $46 million in total, helping educational institutions, community groups and nonprofits address some of their most fundamental challenges. And since 1998 HP has contributed over $500 million in the areas of education, communities and employee giving.
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One of HP's signature initiatives, the HP Technology for Teaching Grant initiative, has provided grants totaling more than $36 million in cash and HP equipment to educational institutions worldwide since 2004. By integrating state of the art technology in classrooms around the world and providing teacher training and assistance, educators are moving away from pure lectures and increasing their facilitation of student engagement and dialogue. Additionally, HP continues to work with Ministries of Education around the world from Brazil to China to expand university research infrastructure and transform the educational experience. This year, HP will also award grants to a number of nonprofit microenterprise development agencies, programs and institutions that provide start-up assistance, business training, access to capital and advice to entrepreneurs and very small businesses in underserved communities.
Everyone deserves access to the tools of innovation, and HP is honored to be part of an initiative that is helping to ensure that access for a new generation of leaders. We look forward to applying the lessons we learn from working with the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy to the other educational initiatives we are leading. For, just as the Academy is inspiring a new generation of students in South Africa, HP is inspired by their enthusiasm for learning.
To apply for an HP educational grant in your community, please visit http://www.hp.com/go/grants.
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