Our Lifeplayer MP3s will provide vulnerable rural children with a high quality top-up education in subjects that are difficult or challenging for local teachers like English, science and math. Each solar-powered Lifeplayer will reach at least 40 learners creating a high impact, low tech, and cost-effective learning opportunity. Some Lifeplayers loaded with school content will be placed in mobile schools and travel with pastoral families.
Sparsely populated Marsabit County is Kenya's largest and one of its poorest. Class sizes average 54 pupils in primary schools, which are woefully under-resourced, lack classrooms, toilets, and qualified teachers. There's a high dropout rate for girls - only 4 in 10 finish primary school. Of those, only 20% will complete high school. Early forced marriage and FGM are common. Educating girls is not considered a priority. Nomadic pastoral communities may not send their children to school at all.
Kenya has a rich history of "radio schools" and audio learning to build on. Our partner NGO, Horn of Africa Development Initiative will identify those schools and pastoral groups most in need. Lifeplayers loaded with audio school content will emphasize Swahili, English, math and other subjects that local teachers struggle to teach. Teacher training modules will be included. Children can make up or repeat lessons as needed. Solar with wind-up power as back up ensures 24/7 learning on demand.
An estimated 15,000 vulnerable children will be impacted by the project. This area struggles to hire and retain well-qualified teachers and is considered a hardship post. Further, education is not widely valued by parents and many children are expected to travel with their nomadic pastoral families, making an education impossible. The Lifeplayer will provide strong supplementary learning opportunities. We expect grades to improve, confidence to be raised and teachers to be better skilled.
