Train 200 Girls in Tech, Uplift Kilifi, Kenya

This reporting period has focused on building a strong foundation for the successful implementation of Train 200 Girls in Tech, Uplift Kilifi, Kenya. While the project has not yet raised sufficient funding to begin full delivery of training and equipment support, important foundational work is already underway. This period is being used intentionally to strengthen local coordination, prepare implementation systems, and build momentum within Kilifi County so that once the required funding threshold is reached, the program can launch quickly, responsibly, and with strong local accountability.

Learner selection has not yet begun, as selection is directly tied to funding availability. The project covers essential costs such as learning facilitation, mentorship, and access to devices and connectivity. Once adequate funding is secured, recruitment and selection will commence immediately. The selection process has already been designed to prioritize girls who face the greatest barriers to opportunity, including limited household income, low access to digital devices and internet, and challenges in transitioning from school to work.

Despite not yet beginning formal recruitment, early outreach in Kilifi has already started. Community engagement and stakeholder coordination are underway to prepare the ground for a smooth rollout. These early efforts focus on raising awareness, aligning with the county ecosystem, and ensuring that once applications open, eligible girls can be reached efficiently and transparently.

Programmatic groundwork is also in place. Power Learn Project already operates a structured digital skills training model with established delivery systems. For this initiative, there is an active partnership foundation with the County Government of Kilifi, which supports community access, local coordination, and program credibility. This partnership provides a clear pathway for learner mobilization, identification support, and community buy-in, all of which are critical for the success of a girls-focused program.

Mentorship capacity is also already available. The project will leverage Power Learn Project’s existing network of trained instructors and facilitators who provide structured learning sessions, guidance, and progress tracking. Once funding is confirmed, learner support structures will be further strengthened through enhanced mentor visibility, cohort-based support check-ins, and community accountability mechanisms.

Equipment procurement has not yet begun, as this will be funded directly through the GlobalGiving campaign. A core objective of the fundraising effort is to ensure access to devices, connectivity support, and learning tools for girls who would otherwise be excluded. Procurement will begin once sufficient funds are available, following transparent and accountable purchasing and distribution processes.

Even ahead of full funding, the project team has focused on readiness and implementation planning. This includes confirming local partnership pathways with the County Government of Kilifi, aligning internal delivery capacity across instructors, learning operations, communications, and monitoring support, and setting up systems for rapid rollout once funding thresholds are reached. Early outreach and stakeholder engagement have also begun to ensure a smooth and inclusive recruitment process when applications open.

As funding increases and reaches the level required for implementation, the project will formally launch recruitment in Kilifi, select the first cohort of girls using established eligibility and inclusion criteria, and begin training delivery with structured learning support and mentorship. Equipment and learning resources will be procured and distributed, and regular progress updates will be shared with donors, covering participation, completion, and learning outcomes.

We are deeply grateful to all donors who have supported this project so far. While we continue working toward full funding, we are not waiting to act. By laying a strong foundation now, we are ensuring that once funding is secured, the program can be delivered efficiently, transparently, and with meaningful impact for girls and young women in Kilifi.

Links:

• PLP Africa Impact Supporting Women and Girls in Technology