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<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">SETTING DIGITAL
PACE IN EASTLANDS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">When Dr Bitange Ndemo, Information and
Communication Permanent Secretary asked Collin Bruce and his team to visit
Eastlands, everybody was eager.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Eager because the PS had sang praises about
Kimathi Information Centre (KIC) and how it had used Information Communication
Technologies (ICTs) to uplift the lives of the youth in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">As the PS and his team snaked through the
streets of Maringo, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City>,
Bahati and Uhuru, the team of youth at KIC were putting final touches to the
presentation. The KIC team is comprised of Catherine Atieno Agallo {21}, Jose
Njuki-Imwe Ngunjiri {26} and Lillian Gloria Okumu {28).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Before welcoming the visitors, the KIC team and
the volunteers had to ensure that all the work due to the local schools has
been delivered and any other pending jobs are finalized. This is their day to
show what the youth can do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">The PS has been so impressed by KIC’s digital
innovation and integration to the community that every visitor to Ndemo’s
office is referred to the centre for examples of how <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Kenya</st1:country-region></st1:place> has embraced ICTs.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Bruce, the World Bank country director was not
disappointed at what he saw. He witnessed how the area youth had worked with
meager resources to improve living conditions in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We have received tremendous support from Dr.
Ndemo. It has motivated us to keep exploring our potential,” said Ngunjiri. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">He was speaking at the Kenya ICT Action Network
(KICTANet) monthly forum, where innovators in ICTs showcase their achievements
to other industry players as well as the public.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">So why was KIC started?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">According to Ngunjiri, they teamed up in
December 2005 and decided to come up with innovative practical solutions to the
problems of unemployed youth in the area. KIC serves Eastland’s community in Kimathi,
Bahati, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:City>,
Maringo and Uhuru.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Apart from unemployment, the youth in the area
lack of proper skills to search for jobs, lack job interview skills and some
have been unable to secure attachment opportunities after university.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Armed with their findings and suggested
solutions, the trio approached Computer for Schools Kenya and the International
Development Research Council (IDRC) seeking assistance. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Impressed by the innovation, the two
organizations donated 13 computers and agreed that the trio would train and
equip the youth and the whole communities in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“I think they have done an excellent job that
can be shared with others,” said Edith Adera from IDRC. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ngunjiri told KICTANet members how that
partnership has improved ICT knowledge, reduced crime rate, unemployment and
ignorance among the youth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We have tried to ensure that the community owns
the project, they give collective security and our equipment has never been
stolen. The youth who would have been out mugging people is now working behind
computers,” Ngunjiri added.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">KIC works with neighbouring schools to provide
computer services if needed. For instance, at the end of the term, the teachers
forward the scores for tallying and grading instead of doing it manually.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">“It is now easier and time saving for teachers
to grade the students. Once they mark the exams, we send one volunteer to get
the data, organise according to instructions then send back to the school. A
minimal cost is charged,” said Ngunjiri.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">KIC has tried to integrate everybody into the
project provided they show interest in learning. Those with skills they can
share with others are encouraged to visit the centre and benefit the others.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Working with university graduates,
KIC goes beyond ICTs skills and teaches accounting and small business
management skills to those aspiring to start businesses.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Other services offered include- research
and study centre, library centre through e-learning, data base centre for small
business entrepreneurs, security pay point for Kimathi estate, networking
centre, web design training for teenagers under the Mtandao Africa initiative.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Out of the activities, the centre
raises money to sustain itself and pay minimal wages to the workers. The
priority now is to ensure the community fully embraces ICTs before they can
pursue profits.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">To fulfill their social
responsibility, Ngunjiri told KICTANet forum how KIC supports <span style="">Shelter of Hope Centre- the local children’s
home.</span> The home houses sixty orphans in the neighboring <span style="">Kiambiu slum.</span> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Because the space at KIC is
limited, two trainers from the children’s home have been trained with the
expectation that they will impart the orphans with ICT knowledge. Every Sunday,
have a volunteer from KIC teaches 5 students from the children’s centre on
computer packages and any advanced skills needed.</p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
progress of KIC has not gone unnoticed by the corporate sector, Popote wireless
gave thirty volunteers a chance market the company’s products.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
library and research centre expects to train many students and enter
competition for international awards including the Bill and Melinda gate
Foundation Program.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoBodyText3" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Ends
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div> </div>Rebecca Wanjiku,<br>journalist,<br>p.o box 33515, <br>Nairobi.00600<br>Kenya.<br><br>Tel. 254 720 318 925<br><br><span>blog:<a target="_blank" href="http://beckyit.blogspot.com/">http://beckyit.blogspot.com/</a></span><div><br></div></div><br>
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