In 2004, Nestlé in Syria joined forces with the charitable organization FIRDOS (Fund for Integrated Rural Development of Syria) to set-up PC school labs in very poor rural villages. FIRDOS, presided by the First Lady of Syria, is active in charitable activities aimed at developing the underprivileged rural areas of Syria.

FIRDOS and Nestlé worked closely together to develop an approach that would allow the PC labs to be self-sustaining. The PC labs would serve the students during school hours and do business as an “internet café” at other times. This would pay for the up-keep and the teachers.

Additionally, the “internet café” would most often be the only internet access in the village for all to discover.

Two PC labs were launched late 2004 as a “pilot” to prepare a roll-out in 2005.