Skills Training

Gaining Valuable, Economically Important Skills

Secondary education is key to promoting economic viability for students; however, many schools are short on equipment to prepare students for success in the local economy. The skills portion of the project will provide computers to secondary schools and the community library. Working with Digital Links International and, locally, Computers for Schools Kenya - two leaders in the field in East Africa, Kilifi Kids will teach students computer skills to fulfill a job market need of local businesses. Software, furthermore, is customized for Kenya, meaning students get the greatest possible benefit from the program.

Funding for this project has been secured, and our efforts are now focused on the implementation phase of this project in coordination with the Kilifi Rotary Club and local secondary schools.

Update on Project

• July, 2007: The US team who traveled to Kenya met with George at Computers for Schools Kenya.  It was an excellent talk.  CFSK can provide us with the computers, maintenance (we'll go with 4 years) and training.  (Everyone is agreed that the training is paramount.)  The next step will be CFSK and Kilifi RC talking, while keeping us in the loop.
  
  Throughout the week, we traveled to the schools who would potentially receive computers.  One school was not up to our agreed upon standards, but the other three were quite impressive.  The headmasters were all very enthusiastic and took down the requirements of the lab setup.  Both Kilifi RC and CFSK will be checking back with them.  Our schools at this point include a boys secondary school, a girls secondary school and a primary school for the deaf.  The town library will also receive a computer lab.
  
  Funding for the Internet in these labs was more problematic.  Our next efforts will be focused on Internet provision.
  
  
• April, 2008:  The computers have been installed in the three schools and are all in working order. CFSK has been a great partner to work with, as have the schools in working to put in the required equipment.  The library is a bit more problematic, as there are no funds for necessities such as security bars for the windows.  Kilifi Kids has agreed to help out in securing funding for these improvements.
  
  
• December, 2008:  We've heard from Janet in Kilifi Rotary Club, and the computers are really making a difference.  Especially appreciative are the students at the school for the deaf; the computer lab is opening a whole new world.  Bahari, the girls school, has even decided to hire a new full-time computer teacher to help the students acquire skills.  
  
  On the Internet front, progress is slower.  We have investigated using satellite technology, but the costs would make the undertaking unsustainable, and sustainability is the primary factor.  Our hope is that the East African underwater fiber channel will be completed soon in 2009, and less expensive means to connect to the Internet will become available.  In the meantime, we are using the Internet connection available at KEMRI and in the town to hook up kids from Kilifi with kids from Brookfield, WI.