Digital Literacy Kenya Project #57651

A Gift of Knowledge, A Future of Opportunity

by NairoBits Trust

A Gift of Knowledge, A Future of Opportunity

Project Report | Dec 19, 2024
Empowering Youth Through Digital Skills

By Magdalene Wanjugu | Executive Director

Graduation Ceremony in Kakamega County

A Year of Growth Through Challenge

2024 presented NairoBits with unprecedented challenges, but it has ultimately proven to be a year of significant growth and impact. An unexpected eviction from our previous office space became the catalyst for a positive change: we were able to secure a larger space, allowing us to expand our Advanced Multimedia Program. This expansion meant we could welcome an additional 20 students for six months of intensive training. We were also thrilled to partner with Kenya Connect to support 10 students from the rural area of Wamunyu, giving them and their families access to life-changing digital skills training.

This year also marked a major milestone for NairoBits: our inaugural graduations in Kisumu and Kakamega Counties. A total of 35 graduates are now equipped with in-demand digital skills, ready to contribute to their communities and the digital economy. We are particularly proud of our success in bridging the digital gender divide, with 17 of our graduates being female. This reflects our ongoing commitment to creating inclusive opportunities for all. Despite the initial challenges, 2024 has been a testament to the resilience and adaptability of NairoBits, allowing us to reach more young people and expand our impact across Kenya.

Expanding Our Reach, Deepening Our Impact

While 2024 brought unexpected challenges, including an office relocation, NairoBits emerged stronger and more impactful. The move to a larger space enabled us to expand our Advanced Multimedia Program, providing vital digital skills training to an additional 20 students. This expansion also allowed us to partner with Kenya Connect to bring 10 students from rural Wamunyu into the program, broadening our reach to underserved communities.

We celebrated a significant achievement this year with our first-ever graduations in Kisumu and Kakamega Counties. 35 graduates, including 17 young women, are now equipped to pursue careers in the digital field. This expansion into Western Kenya is a testament to our commitment to bridging the digital divide and providing opportunities for all young people, regardless of their location or background. We also saw a decrease in our program dropout rate, indicating the strength of our programs and support systems.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

2024 was a year of both challenge and significant progress for NairoBits. Despite an unexpected office eviction, we secured a larger space, enabling us to expand our Advanced Multimedia Program by 20 students and partner with Kenya Connect to bring 10 students from rural Wamunyu into the program. We also celebrated inaugural graduations in Kisumu and Kakamega, with 35 graduates (including 17 women) now ready to contribute to the digital economy. This year’s experience has reinforced our resilience and commitment to empowering young people through digital skills.

Graduation in Kisumu

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Jul 12, 2024
Empowered Future: Expanding Digital Skills

By David Mwaura | Resource Mobilisation

Flood Relief Support

We're excited to share our progress from the last quarter (March - July 2024) as we continue to empower young Kenyans with the skills and resources they need to thrive in the digital age.

1. Flood Relief Emergency Fundraising:

In response to the devastating floods that impacted parts of Kenya, we launched an emergency fundraising campaign. Through the generosity of our supporters, we were able to get to 50% of our target amount which was used to provide supplies including cooking oil, food staples (grains), sanitary products, and diapers for children to families affected by the floods.

2. Successful Completion of Cohorts:

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of Cohort 1 for both our Digital Literacy Program (DLP) and Advanced Multimedia Program (AMP). This cohort saw over 300 participants graduate from the DLP program, equipped with essential digital skills. Additionally, 50 students completed the AMP program, gaining advanced multimedia skills in video editing, graphic design, and web development.

3. Bridging the Gap to Employment:

We're committed to connecting our graduates with employment opportunities. Through our career guidance workshops and industry partnerships, several graduates from Cohort 1 have successfully secured employment in various tech-related fields. Others are utilizing their skills to thrive in the gig economy, generating income through freelance projects.

4. Scaling Our Impact:

Looking ahead, we're excited to announce plans for expansion. In the next quarter, we aim to launch new training centers in Kisumu, Kamangu, and Kakamega. These new centers will allow us to reach and empower over 1,000 additional young people in the coming months, significantly increasing our impact on Kenya's digital workforce.

We are grateful for the continued support of our partners and donors. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of young Kenyans and building a brighter digital future for the nation.
Stay tuned for further updates on our progress!
Please note:

Flooded Library

Partner Visit

Students in Class

Attachments:

Floods Refief Report (PDF)

5 Attachments

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Mar 13, 2024
New Cohorts 2024

By Ian Mutai | Business Development & Sustainability Associate

NairoBits Trainers in support of ending Femicide

We are thrilled to present the first quarter update for our crowdfunding project, "Tech Skills & Jobs for 1000 Underserved Youth." Your generous support has enabled us to make meaningful strides in empowering young, underserved individuals with digital literacy and advanced multimedia skills.

Our cause is to enhance the capacity of underserved youth and create opportunities that enable them to make gainful advantage of the digital age. Leading to an impact on the lives of 300,000 underserved youth in 4 prominent regions of Kenya, namely Kisumu, Machakos, Mombasa, and Nairobi. By providing digital learning programs, workforce training, and industry internships within the next five years so they can transform their socio-economic lives.

We are committed to hosting 45 Cohorts in partnership with community-based organizations, providing 2,000 mock interviews to better position youth for employment, and building up an online community of 3M individuals to increase awareness of this mission while increasing our impact in the lives of youth as they prepare for a future in the digitally integrated world.

Project Updates

Enrollment Drive: In January, we started an enrollment drive for our Digital Literacy Program (DLP) and Advanced Multimedia Program (AMP). By the end of January, we had shortlisted a total of 74 applicants for the AMP program, of which 41 were selected and began their training in the first week of February. Additionally, we shortlisted 266 program participants for the Digital Literacy Program from our partner centers based in underserved communities.
Women in Tech (GirlsGo): The enrollment is reported at a 50% enrollment rate for both female and male participants, with 132 young women and 134 young men enrolled to start their tech skilling journey.
Laptop Donation: Thanks to the generous donation from GiveInternet, we received five laptops donated to our top alumni students, giving them access to essential tools to practice their skills and explore opportunities in the digital space.
Film Screening: Our AMP students, trained in Video Impact Training (VIT), showcased their talent and creativity through a film screening event. With support from Golypoon, they produced two impactful films that shed light on the stories of underserved communities and the interventions organizations undertake to improve livelihoods within their communities.
Youth Advocacy: Our students took it to the streets and took a stand against ending femicide by participating in the Stop Killing Women campaign. The march, held on January 27th, was a testament to the power of collective action in advocating for human rights and gender equality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, none of these achievements would have been possible without your generous support and commitment to our cause. Together, we are making a tangible difference in the lives of underserved youth, empowering them with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive in the digital age. We look forward to continuing this journey together and creating a brighter future for all.

Thanks to all our donors from organizations, tech startups, foundations, individuals, and alumni.

Happy International Women's History Month!

GiveInternet Visit to donate 20 laptops Bits Alums

VIT Students Film Screening Premiere

VIT students who worked on the film

Head of Inntech words, last words

Advanced Multimedia Program, Class of 2024

Links:

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