Teneo, are normally involved in providing IT solutions, but on the 9th of November they were celebrated for their work in helping provide education for children in rural Madagascar; winning the ‘Best ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Project of the Year Award’, in their category, at the CRN Channel Awards, ‘the most prestigious awards in the UK IT channel’.
The award was aimed at celebrating the achievements of IT companies that are making the world a better place, 
through ESG projects carried out during the past year.
Facing stiff competition from six strong finalists, Teneo won the highly coveted award through recognition of its latest Purpose Beyond Profit initiative, in partnership with SEED Madagascar, a charity that manages a wide range of sustainable development and conversationprogrammes.
The project involved the refurbishment and build of a school in Sarisambo, rural Madagascar, where Teneo not only helped fund the project, but company leaders, including CEO Piers Carey, VP of Services James Hall, and VP of Business Development Marc Sollars, also travelled to Sarisambo this year to lend a hand with the construction itself.
Through the project, 726 students will have a safe, comfortable environment to learn. The school also gives children access to clean drinking water, toilets and sanitation facilities, which not only helps reduce illness absenteeism, but, in a country where almost 80% of the population lives on less the $1.90 per day, can be children’s only access to these life changing amenities. Teachers will also have a better living and working environment, ensuring greater teaching consistency for pupils. And, the community will benefit from a tree plantation area providing a food and fuel resource, as well as offsetting carbon emissions from the school construction.
“Teneo’s core purpose is to improve the lives of 1 million children around the world,” said Piers Carey, CEO of Teneo. “We believe that the best way to do that is by giving them the gift of education. We are delighted that our work with SEED Madagascar has been recognised by our industry peers at the CRN Awards and I would like thank our incredible customers, partners, and dedicated employees, who have enabled us to help children in Madagascar escape a life of poverty through education.”
“Giving back and using the business as a vehicle for positive change through collaboration with organisations like SEED is clearly part of Teneo’s DNA,” said Mark Jacobs, Managing Director, SEED Madagascar. “Since the very beginning of the partnership, Teneo’s support of our Education Infrastructure Programme reflects their commitment to their Purpose Beyond Profit mission, and it is truly championed by the entire Teneo team.”
Teneo’s partnership with SEED Madagascar began in 2011, when VP of Services, James Hall took a career break to volunteer in Madagascar as part of their conservation program. Since then, Teneo has supported its Education Infrastructure Programme, which builds and refurbishes schools and provides sanitation and water access in rural areas. Sarisambo is the 9th school build that Teneo has supported to date, with plans underway to support two additional schools.
Find out more about more about Teneo’s Purpose Beyond Profit Initiatives – www.teneo.net/about/our-purpose
Find out more about SEED Madagascar’s work – www.madagascar.co.uk
About SEED Madagascar
SEED Madagascar (Sustainable Environment, Education & Development in Madagascar) is an award-winning British registered charity (number 1079121). Operating in southeast Madagascar, it manages a wide range of sustainable development and conservation projects across the Anosy region. Alongside this, it aims to raise global awareness of Madagascar’s unique needs and build constructive partnerships to aid development.