[kictanet] [Skunkworks] Listening at the Kenya Red Cross Developer day

[Brian Munyao Longwe]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for sharing. Truly there is a lot going on. There is definitely a
need for mentorship at all levels and the issue is being addressed in
various way by a multiplicity of actors. I guess and what I keep hearing,
is that there are not enough experienced individuals willing to
sacrifice/contribute some of their personal time towards adopting and
mentoring some of these brilliant young people.

Let us keep in mind that mentorship is not 1 hour talking at/down to a
group of techies, but is actually a much deeper engagement, on a personal
level - where the mentor makes themselves available to the mentee(s) for
guidance, advice, support, counselling etc...

I have 3 such guys with whom I have developed a relationship over the past
4 years and I can tell you that there is nothing a fulfilling as seeing
them grow from strength to strength.

Best regards,

Brian

On Sun, Jun 3, 2012 at 5:26 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo at ict.go.ke> wrote:

> As I write this the Kenya Red Cross is organizing the tech event dubbed
> Random Hacks of Kindness. Developers from all over Kenya are presenting
> ideas on using technology in humanitarian situations. Taking place at Keny
> Red Cross offices.
>
> Dr Ndemo opening the judging session emphasized the need for developers to
> think commercially in order for them to have the incentive to stay the
> course. Most applications are very socially oriented, perhaps representing
> our social reality.
>
> What's amazing is the fact that these hackathons and developer forums are
> becoming an increasing aspect of youth culture in universities and
> colleges. Remember most developers ago are say 19 years old now were 14
> years old when the undersea cable discussions started.  What is evident is
> that these developers need a lot of mentoring and this where we can all
> come in.  The issue of mentoring needs a broad discussion.
>
> It was fresh to see a whole new bunch of techies with a different
> perspective. At this stage the developer community is doing what it can.
> Many of them worked the weekend to prepare. Once this becomes part of the
> youth culture, even for a few, opportunity is created.
>
> This is kind of techie week in Kenya with Nokia Summit last week, the 4c
> challenge meeting last Friday, the pivot east and the outsourcing summit
> this week starting tomorrow.
>
> Although the judging is still under way, I must say a Sunday afternoon
> well spent.
>
> Paul Kukubo
>
>
>
> --
> Paul Kukubo
> Chief Executive Officer, Kenya ICT Board
> PO Box 27150 - 00100
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>
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-- 
Brian Munyao Longwe
e-mail: blongwe at gmail.com
cell:  +254715964281
blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com
meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

"Give us clear vision that we may know where to stand and what to stand
for, because unless we stand for something, we shall fall for anything."
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