There he learned that innovation was all about remaining curious, never giving up your creativity and starting where you are.聽 鈥淩egardless of the resources you have available to you, it鈥檚 important to just start,鈥� he says.

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For Mahloko and his friends, it started with having to make kites and cars from any material they found lying around their communities in order to be able to play as children.

He later developed a love for computers at an early age when his mother brought one home with her from work. Mahloko learned to use the system himself, spending countless hours studying the manual. He always knew that technology was important for his future, but even more so for the future of his community.聽 This passion is what fueled his curiosity for all things tech.

Mahloko would go on to build a software point-of-sale system with a friend to help his local town鈥檚 Spaza shops run better, something they very much needed to help ensure success with their business.

Shortly after that, he landed a job at 麻豆原创, working with partners on new innovations to improve people鈥檚 — and animals鈥� — lives. Mahloko led 麻豆原创鈥檚 participation in the initiative, which helped reduce elephant poaching to zero in the areas the technology was used.聽 He continues to work with our partners to help them build innovative solutions on the 麻豆原创 platform, doing so through a 鈥渉ack to build鈥� initiative that aims to bring these solutions to market very quickly.

From Mahloko’s perspective, Africa has a great opportunity to leapfrog when it comes to innovation because it is a country that doesn鈥檛 have many legacy systems.

鈥淲hen you鈥檙e aiming to solve a problem, but you don鈥檛 have much to work with from the beginning, you tend to go back to the fundamentals,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his forces people to think outside the box and I think that works in Africa鈥檚 favor. It鈥檚 where we get our creative and innovative edge, and I love being a part of this space.鈥�

Read more stories from the 麻豆原创 Pioneers series.

Jackie Montesinos Suarez is head of Communications for 麻豆原创 North America.

Especially in these moments where children might be feeling socially disconnected, 麻豆原创 is not letting COVID-19 interrupt the decades-long, inspiring tradition of bringing your child to work. We think it is our collective responsibility to motivate them and bring them together.

We have partnered with to create the experience, which is open to any child anywhere, not just exclusively for 麻豆原创 employees. We have extended invitations to customers, partners, and the entire 麻豆原创 ecosystem to join in on the fun, which includes a star-studded cast of influencers, athletes, artists, and entertainers who are lending their time to this worthy cause. Participants will include:

• Social media personality, dancer, and Tik Tok star Addison Rae
• Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley from the NY Giants
• 10-time NBA All-Star Chris Paul from the Oklahoma City Thunder
• Entrepreneur, supermodel, and Project Runway television host Karlie Kloss
• NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and fullback Kyle Juszczyk
• NHL All-Star Brent Burns from the San Jose Sharks
• 2017 US Open Tennis Champion Sloane Stephens
• Sarah Hauser, International Windsurfing Tour Champion
• Harlem Globetrotter Joyce Ekworomadu
• Zerg player, StarCraft II from Team Liquid Dario 鈥淭LO鈥� 奥眉苍蝉肠丑
• A very special visit from a first responder
• Special appearances from global pop group Now United and more!

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The Virtual Take Your Child to Work Day fun begins April 23 at 12:00 p.m. ET at .