Lubaba Endris

UNICEF–Camara Digital Education Project Update

by EthiopiaICT in EducationPartnershipsTeachers & Educators
Lubaba Endris

Thanks to UNICEF’s generous support, Camara Education Ethiopia has established fully equipped Digital Learning Centres in 25 primary schools and 5 Colleges of Teacher Education, and provided 15 pre-primary schools with UNICEF-donated laptops loaded with digital resources for teacher’s professional development use, including lesson planning and digital skills development. Over 1,044 teachers and instructional leaders have also received training in digital skills and technology integration, many of whom had never previously used a computer. 

This initiative, targeting UNICEF-supported regions (Afar, Gambella, Oromia, South Ethiopia, and Southwest Ethiopia), is designed to help disadvantaged children develop foundational skills and unlock brighter futures through digital learning. Ultimately, the project aims to reach out to 31,000 children (50% girls) in the target schools.

To create a vibrant, play-based learning environment, we’ve introduced smart textbooks, educational games, and interactive simulations aligned with the new curriculum and tailored to boost literacy and numeracy. These digital resources are intuitive and engaging, giving students hands-on, enjoyable ways to learn. 

Our training has empowered teachers to confidently use technology in the classroom, creating active and playful learning experiences that nurture essential skills. Instructional leaders are now better equipped to mentor and support teachers, raising the overall quality of education. 

The response from teachers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many excited about the transformation they’re seeing in their classrooms and among their students. 

“My name is Lubaba Endris, and I am an IT teacher and focal person at Hibret Primary School in Bonga Gimbo. I recently completed “digital skills and technology integration” training delivered by Camara Ethiopia, with generous support from UNICEF.

Following the training, I am now cascading this knowledge to other teachers in my school. The feedback from the teachers has been positive and very encouraging. For many, it’s their first time engaging with this kind of technology, and they’ve found that using computers and the digital content makes teaching much more interactive and enjoyable.

The computers provided to our school have been essential not only for teachers but especially for our students. They now have the opportunity to learn more practically, rather than theoretically. The Digital Learning Centre has quickly become the most popular room in the school. Students are always eager to spend time there, exploring new lessons and developing digital skills that will be important for their futures.

It’s wonderful to see how technology is transforming the learning environment. It’s making lessons more engaging and encouraging students to be more confident and curious, which is exactly what education should do.

Jemjemo Primary School teacher 2
At Bonga CTE for Kaykela Primary School Teachers
Successful completion of #Second Round training @Bonga CTE for Kaykela Primary School Teachers
Michelle-Mukami

Michelle’s Journey into AI and Meteorology

by CamaraICT in EducationKenyaOur Impact

Growing up, Michelle Mukami attended Mariakani Primary School, where there was no electricity, let alone digital resources. Learning science was tough—experiments were just words in a textbook, and understanding concepts without seeing them in action felt impossible.

Everything changed when she joined Kambi Mawe Girls Secondary School. For the first time, she sat in front of a real computer, thanks to the STEM Steps Project, a partnership between Camara Education and Dell Technologies. It was a game-changer! Through interactive simulations, Michelle finally saw science come to life. Complex topics that once felt confusing started making sense, and she discovered a love for technology—especially AI.

AI didn’t just help her understand science better; it changed the way she thought. She became more analytical, solving problems step by step. That’s when inspiration struck—what if AI could help predict rainfall patterns? Farmers in her community struggle with unpredictable weather, and she dreams of creating an AI-powered system to help them plan better.

“AI has opened my mind to endless possibilities. I want to use technology to solve real-world problems, starting with helping farmers predict rainfall and fight climate change,” Michelle says with determination.

Now, Michelle is determined to pursue meteorology and use AI to improve weather forecasting. Her goal? To help combat climate change and make life easier for farmers. From a school with no electricity to a future driven by technology, Michelle’s journey proves that with the right opportunities, anything is possible!

Michelle-Mukami
Technology Boosts Enrolment at Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre

Technology Boosts Enrolment

by CamaraICT in EducationKenya
Technology Boosts Enrolment at Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre

The Makueni Integrated Vocational Empowerment Centre (MIVEC), a County Technical Training Institute, has witnessed a significant surge in student enrolment, largely driven by the introduction of new technology. The availability of computers and laptops, provided through the STEM STEPS Project, has made a remarkable impact, particularly on ICT courses.

Boniface Vundi, the Centre Manager, attributes this growth to the increased access to technology, which has opened new doors for learners. “We’ve seen an impressive 41.62% rise in ICT student enrolment this year,” Vundi said. “The availability of computers has made our institution more appealing to students who are eager to gain digital skills.”

The increase in ICT enrolment is not the only positive development at MIVEC. The overall number of students at the centre has also grown, with more learners from various disciplines now embracing technology in their coursework. “Access to computers was previously a limitation, but now, students have the resources for hands-on practice, which has encouraged those in other fields to take up ICT-related units,” added Vundi.

The impact of the new technology is also evident in the growing number of hours students are spending on computers. More time is being dedicated to digital learning, research, and skill development, further enhancing the academic experience. “With extended computer hours, our students can meet assignment deadlines, engage in online learning, and even develop personal projects,” Vundi stated. “This has truly been a game-changer for us.”

The STEM STEPS Project has proven essential in transforming technical training at MIVEC. As the role of technology in education continues to grow, the centre is committed to expanding its ICT infrastructure to meet the increasing demand. Vundi concluded, “Our goal is to equip students with practical digital skills that will prepare them for the job market. With continued support, we can create even more opportunities for young people in our county.”

St. Jude Girls Secondary students

Recognising best computer usage and ICT clubs

by Girls' educationICT in EducationKenyaYouth Skills & Development
St. Jude Girls Secondary students

Camara Education Kenya has awarded appreciation to selected schools in the STEM STEPS Towards Positive Futures project for their outstanding efforts in digital learning and ICT development.

The STEM STEPS project, a partnership between Camara Education and Technologies, is supporting multiple schools by providing desktops, servers, and laptops to enhance digital literacy. While all participating schools are making great strides in technology adoption, some schools have been recognized for their exceptional commitment to:

  • ICT club activities
  • Digital skills development
  • Expanding computer usage hours

The awarded schools include:

  • Kongowea Secondary – Mombasa
  • Al-Farsy Girls Secondary – Mombasa
  • Migundini Secondary – Kilifi
  • Kizurini Secondary – Kilifi
  • Kambi Mawe Girls Secondary – Makueni
  • St. Jude Girls Secondary – Makueni
  • Embulbul Secondary – Kajiado
  • Kapchumba Secondary – Uasin Gishu
  • St. John Sigowet Secondary – Uasin Gishu

Camara Education recognizes and appreciates the efforts of all schools participating in this initiative, as they continue to empower students with essential digital skills. Together, we are bridging the digital divide and creating a technology-driven future for learners.

Kapchumba Secondary Students
St. John's Sigowet Secondary School
Kongowea Secondary Students
Kambi Mawe Girls Secondary students
Kizurini Secondary students
Migundini Secondary students
Al-Farsy Girls Secondary students
Embulbul Students
Rohobot secondary school 1

Partnership with Life Changing Technologies

by CamaraDigital Literacy & SkillsEthiopiaICT in EducationTeachers & Educators
Rohobot secondary school 1

Camara Education, in partnership with Life Changing Technologies (LCT), a project of  DevXchange International (DI) , and the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Development Commission (EKHCDC), is currently implementing a five-year project initiative to support Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church schools (EKHC). There are over 250 EKHC-affiliated schools in Ethiopia, and this five-year project aims to support 4 in year one (2024) and an additional 35 until 2028. 

In 2024, through funding from the LCT_EKHCDC Project, we have successfully implemented a digital learning programme in three schools: Bole Kale Heyiwet Secondary School in Addis Ababa, Rehoboth Secondary School in Arba Minch, and Enat Kale Heywet Secondary School in Humbo-Tebela.

Each school now has a fully equipped and networked Digital Learning Centre (DLC) with 35 workstations and Classroom Content Server PCs. The 3 schools received a total of 108 computers, which were installed in the DLC and 28 of which will be used in classrooms by teachers.

Projectors for the computers will also be installed in each classroom for the teachers’ lesson delivery.

Enat Kale Hiwot Secondary School 2

The Camara computers provided to the schools are equipped with a wide range of applications and educational content, including virtual simulation, digital library, educational videos/audios, accessible content for students with special needs, and curriculum-relevant reference materials along with National Exam practice tests. These computers serve as powerful learning tools, especially in schools where physical resources like library books and science laboratories are scarce. Each computer also includes the entire Ministry of Education digital textbook collection, addressing the critical shortage of textbooks. 

We have also deployed the Camara Learning Studio (CLS), a Learning Management System. CLS’s self-paced and personalised learning features enable students to progress at their own pace. It provides real-time data and feedback on learner progress, which allows teachers and instructional leaders to provide timely support, adjust the difficulty, content, and presentation of learning activities as needed based on individual student’s competencies, performance, preferences, and progress.

We have installed Camara’s CCNMS (Computer Classroom Network Monitoring System) in each of the DLCs. CCNMS provides a real-time understanding of the usage of the devices and contents within the DLC, which can be used to plan additional technical visits and provide additional support to schools. Using the data collected via CCNMS alongside the traditional methods of qualitative and quantitative M&E (Monitoring and Evaluation) data collection can give much more information on the impact of the project.

The DLC will have a content filtering server. The content filtering firewall server helps to restrict adult and unwanted content and monitor internet usage for students and staff.

The students now have access to offline learning resources, opening up new opportunities and allowing them to learn in ways they couldn’t before. The project is expected to enable thousands of  students to gain equal access to quality education and become digitally literate.

Rohobot secondary school Teacher Training

We also provided leadership and teacher training on Digital skills and integrating technology in education for 72 teachers and school leaders.

This is only the beginning of a bigger mission. The aim is to keep giving more schools the technology and resources they need and help students succeed.

Here are some pictures taken showing the DLC and a thank you video from students and teachers. 

Together, we are making a difference and working to build a brighter future for education in Ethiopia. 

THANK YOU!

We acknowledge that this project initiative, and its positive impact on students, teachers and the school community in general, would not have been possible without the LCT-EKHCDC’s ongoing commitment and funding support. We are extremely grateful for our partnership and hope to continue expanding this work to other schools with your support.

Transforming Digital Learning at St. Lawrence Nziu Girls

Transforming Digital Learning at St. Lawrence Nziu Girls

by ICT in EducationKenyaYouth Skills & Development
Transforming Digital Learning at St. Lawrence Nziu Girls

St. Lawrence Nziu Girls Secondary School in Kenya has made significant strides in integrating technology into its learning environment through the STEM STEPS Towards Positive Futures Project. This initiative, a collaboration between Camara Education and Dell Technologies, has equipped the school with 10 computers, a classroom server, and a laptop, providing a solid foundation for enhanced ICT learning. The school has further strengthened its digital capacity by purchasing an additional 10 computers from Camara Education Kenya, ensuring that every student has access to essential technology for their classroom studies.

For Mr. Stephen Makau, an ICT teacher at the school, the transformation has been remarkable. “Before Camara’s intervention, we had very few computers, and access to digital learning was limited. The demand for computer access far outweighed the resources we had, which hindered students’ ability to practise and engage fully with ICT lessons,” explains Mr. Makau. “Thanks to the STEM STEPS project, we now have enough computers to meet the needs of our students. The additional 10 computers we purchased have reduced the student-to-computer ratio, enabling more hands-on learning experiences.”

Mr. Bertrand Eshilache, another ICT teacher at St. Lawrence Nziu Girls, echoed this, noting the impact on Form 4 students preparing for their final exams. “With the additional computers, we are able to provide more lab time for our Form 4 students, ensuring they are well-prepared for their practical exams. The access to modern software and tools has improved their performance, and their confidence in ICT has grown significantly,” he says.

The school’s ICT program has become a central part of the learning experience, driving greater interest in digital literacy and preparing students for a future where technology plays a crucial role. “The shift has been significant. With more computers, we’ve been able to expand our curriculum and offer new learning opportunities, not just in ICT but across other subjects as well,” says Mr. Makau.

The journey towards making St. Lawrence Nziu Girls a hub of digital learning would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the teaching staff and the ongoing support from projects like STEM STEPS. Mr. Eshilache shared his hopes for the future, saying, “We envision our students becoming ICT-savvy individuals, ready to face the challenges of the modern workforce. We are committed to ensuring that technology continues to play a central role in education here.”

This combination of strategic donations and the school’s own investment in technology highlights St. Lawrence Nziu Girls’ commitment to empowering students through digital education. With teachers like Mr. Makau and Mr. Eshilache leading the way, the future of ICT learning at the school looks incredibly promising.

Yoas Mulatu’s Journey with Camara Education Ethiopia

by CamaraEthiopiaGirls' educationICT in EducationYouth Skills & Development

At Camara Education Ethiopia, providing internships and volunteer opportunities is one of the key ways we nurture the next generation of digital changemakers. Each year, approximately 40 young people join Camara as interns and volunteers, bringing with them ambition, dedication, and an eagerness to learn. For some, it’s a stepping stone to fulfilling careers in technology, while for others, like Yoas Mulatu, it’s an opportunity to explore, challenge, and realise their dreams.

Yoas Mulatu, a 20-year-old Information Technology (IT) student at Kirokos Manufacturing College, exemplifies the transformative power of our internship program. Growing up with a fascination for computers, Yoas pursued an IT degree to turn her passion into a lifelong skill. This drive to learn and grow brought her to Camara, where her journey began with a school-organised group internship. Having heard positive feedback from former interns, she was excited to see firsthand what Camara’s program could offer.

A Hands-On Experience in IT

Since joining, Yoas has had an immersive experience with Camara, gaining practical skills that extend beyond the classroom. Her internship has been hands-on from the start, including tasks like installing educational operating systems, diagnosing and solving hardware issues, and maintaining school computers. For Yoas, each project is an opportunity to dive deeper into her chosen field, developing her expertise in the Ubuntu operating system and learning how to troubleshoot complex hardware problems. “Each task teaches me something new,” says Yoas, “whether it’s problem-solving or better understanding computer systems. This experience is not just about learning technical skills; it’s about growing into a confident IT professional.”

Beyond the technical aspects, Yoas has benefited from Camara’s collaborative and supportive environment. Our programs encourage interns and volunteers to connect, share ideas, and support one another, fostering an inclusive culture where young women and men feel empowered to lead and innovate. For Yoas, working with a diverse team has expanded her professional network and strengthened her communication skills, providing her with tools that are critical to succeeding in the tech industry.

Breaking Barriers as a Woman in Tech

One of the most rewarding aspects of Yoas’s journey has been the confidence she’s gained working in a male-dominated field. “Initially, I had little knowledge of computer internals or how to solve hardware issues,” Yoas reflects. “But over time, I’ve learned through hands-on experience, and now, I feel empowered to handle challenges I once thought were beyond my reach.” She’s particularly proud to be part of a team that champions diversity and encourages women in tech, which is critical for breaking down stereotypes and inspiring more young women to enter the field.

Yoas believes that the industry needs more women and girls, and her message to other aspiring female IT professionals is to pursue their dreams boldly. “In my classroom, the number of women is quite low, and the same is true in the IT field,” she says. “We need to change that by encouraging more girls to explore technology. We all have the potential to achieve great things if we leverage the tools and knowledge available to us.”

Looking to the Future

As Yoas is near her graduation, she has her sights set on a future that blends her passion for technology with her desire to give back to her community. She hopes to open a computer maintenance store, providing reliable, affordable tech support and creating a welcoming space for community members to learn about technology. Her vision includes building a platform that not only serves her community’s needs but also inspires young people—especially girls—to see tech as a field where they belong and can thrive.

Camara Education Ethiopia is proud to be part of Yoas’s journey, and her story is a testament to the power of hands-on learning, mentorship, and the resilience of young people ready to create positive change.

Are you inspired by Yoas’s journey? Camara Education Ethiopia is always looking for passionate volunteers and interns eager to make a difference. Join us, and be part of a team committed to transforming lives through technology, by sending us an email to ethiopia@camara.org.