Technology

School on wheels takes computer skills to slums

bus

Youths from Nairobi slums learn computer skills aboard the bus. Photo/Courtesy

In the expansive Mathare slums in Nairobi, a group of 20 youths study on board a bus which has been converted into a classroom. They are busy typing away at their computers.

The bus serves as their classroom and meeting place. The youths are brought together by two factors — the quest for technology skills and opportunities to grow.

Near the bus is a flurry of activity as Mathare residents trade in the vast neighbourhood that is mainly associated with poverty and crime.

‘‘This is a slum school where people from poor backgrounds converge and acquire computing and information technology skills for free,’’ one trader told an inquisitive passer-by.

The bus is crowded but optimism runs high as former beneficiaries of the project mentor and inspire newcomers.

Ali Noor went through the same course. After completing his six-week basic computing skills class at the Craft Silicon Foundation-run facility he enrolled for another six-month course in graphic design. He later started his own business.

‘‘After graduating with web design and graphic design skills, I started my own business of printing T-shirts and designs on coffee mugs, and brochures,’’ said Noor in an interview with the Business Daily last week.

He was happy with the turn of fortunes, he said, adding that earnings from the business enabled him to move out of the slum.

After Samuel Makokha completed his High School education he was not lucky to join college or university. Today he studies graphic design at the school and hopes to venture into self-employment after completing the programme.

‘‘Craft Silicon Foundation was founded in 2009 targeting youths aged 18 to 25 years from slums given that this is the age where most complete their primary or secondary education and are incapable of acquiring higher education due to poverty,’’ said Mr Alex Chege, the project manager.

Initially, the project targeted Kibera, Mukuru, Kawangware, Viwandani and Mathare before expanding to other slums.

Korogocho is the next target, said Mr Chege. The project, which started with only two staff members, has five who train and mentor youths.

‘‘I started this project with the aim of transforming lives of less privileged people in slums and helping them realise the hidden potential in them. We started small but are glad to have made headway,’’ said Craft Silicon Foundation CEO and founder Parminder Budhabhatt.

‘‘Our projection is to have such buses in every county in the country.

‘‘This will translate into having many youths across the country able to access ICT training and services and support themselves and their dependants in future,’’ added Mrs Budhabhatt

She said that their biggest challenge was the overwhelming number of youths who turn up for interviews and cannot get the opportunity to join the school due to limited facilities.

Computers used in the project are powered by solar energy.

Vetting teams from Craft Silicon work with the local administration to identify needy youths to join the programme. They ascertain the financial history of parents or guardian to ensure that only underprivileged youths are admitted to the school.

‘‘Being a mobile facility we change venues since we have an equipped bus that can handle 30 students at any given time.

‘‘Our aim is to offer skills for self-reliance and bridge the digital gap while at the same time empowering youths with technology skills,’’ said Mr Chege.

Apart from computing skills, web and graphic design, the youths are trained in entrepreneurship and communication through short courses. Training sessions are mostly held in district officers’ and chiefs’ compounds in order to safeguard facilities.

Maurice Ogola from Satellite in Nairobi completed his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) last year. His parents are unemployed and were unable to pay for his college education. Mr Ogola is pursuing a graphic design course at the school which will take him six months.

Employment

His case is similar to that of Anthony Mugo who, before joining the facility, was a construction worker in Kabiriria, Dagoretti. The project is about four years old and has five intakes per year.

Seventy two students are selected per intake. The foundation has so far trained 6,000 students.

Mr Chege said that the management was holding talks with financial institutions to loan students money and enable them start businesses after graduation.

‘‘Craft Silicon Foundation will act as security to students taking the grant since they do not have assets that can act as security for the capital offered,’’ he said.

According to statistics from the foundation, 40 per cent of former students are in gainful employment.

‘‘The bottom line is creating empowerment for self-reliance,’’ said Mr Chege.