Kenya Archives - Camara Education

Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders:

July 12, 2024

by johnfisher Camara Computer maintenance ICT Kenya Sustainability Tanzania Youth skills

Celebrating World Youth Skills Day with Camara Education

World Youth Skills Day was founded to celebrate the importance of providing young people with skills for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship. At Camara, we believe that equipping youth with digital skills and knowledge is central to unlocking their full potential and driving positive change in their communities. It is at the heart of everything we do, but exemplified in particular by two programmes: our internships in Kenya, and our Youth Digital Skills course in Tanzania.

Internships in Kenya

Camara Kenya’s Internship programme is a 3-month course designed to equip participants with hands-on ICT skills in a real- world work environment. The initiative attracts students in various IT disciplines from universities and colleges across the country. The participants are based in our Mombasa Hub for day-to-day training and also undertake fieldwork activities in our local schools. The programme has supported almost 600 students to date, 40 of them in 2023.

By the end of the course, students have mastered vital skills including network setup and configuration, software installation & administration, and PC/laptop troubleshooting and repair. They are also taught soft skills such as marketing and how to conduct themselves in the workplace. These in-demand techniques place them ahead of the competition in the job market and help them explore opportunities for self-employment.

Tanzania – YDS

Camara Tanzania recently completed a successful pilot of its Youth Digital Skills As a result, 12 youths have been equipped with the essential digital skills needed in today’s workplace. The programme offered new opportunities for individuals in Dar es Salaam who had previously faced challenges in accessing education or employment.

Among the participants, six have already secured direct employment opportunities with national companies, while others have embraced freelancing as a livelihood. We are thrilled with the outcome of this pilot project and hope to roll out an even better version in the future, based on what we have learnt.

Graduate Testimonies

21-year-old Janeth George successfully completed the YDS course in Tanzania, and it has literally changed her life:

“Thanks to the Youth Digital Skills Program, I am now employed by Dospects Studio. My family believed in marriage, and I struggled to break free from that expectation due to financial dependence on them. But now, after completing the programme, I have gained employable skills and managed to get work. Many thanks to Camara Education, Tanzania.”

Everlyne Mkabili is currently interning with Camara Kenya:

“I am a student from Kenya Coast National Polytechnic pursuing a Diploma in Information Communication Technology. I am currently enrolled as an intern at Camara Education Kenya, a charity that provides computers, teacher training, and innovative learning programs to schools across Africa.

I came to know Camara through a teacher at Ribe Girl’s High School – I received three offers of attachments but the teacher advised me to select Camara since it was the best.

From the very start of the attachment, the learning environment has been friendly and understanding and the skills I have learned so far are top-notch. Among other things, I have learned how to dismantle and assemble all the external and internal parts of a PC; how to install various operating systems to different PCs; how to troubleshoot by running diagnostics; and how to make storage devices bootable.

With these few but important skills, I have been able to help a computer teacher at Ribe Girls’ High School solve a problem with one of his computers that had stopped working (the computer was not powering on, and if it was powering on, there was no display). I gave a solution to this scenario by asking him to remove the PC RAM sticks and clean them, as well as the RAM slots. I also asked him to check the power cable supplying power to the motherboard. After a few minutes, I received feedback from the same teacher, who happily explained to me that the directives I gave him worked successfully.

As we continue with this program, my hope is to gain more skills so that I can use them to build my future career as an IT Support Specialist.”

Irene Gabriel is a Graphic Design graduate of the YDS Program in Tanzania. She said:

“Before starting the training, I aspired to be a soldier, but that path wasn’t accessible. This program became a way for me to acquire additional skills. Now, my ambition is to excel as a graphics designer, leveraging the skills I’ve obtained.”

Kelvin Kirimi Mutuma, a former student at the Star Institute of Professionals, completed Camara Kenya’s internship programme in 2022 and is currently working at Erido Computer Solutions in Mombasa. He said:

“I was born and raised in the outskirts of Mombasa, in a place called Meru, 27 years ago. Growing up in a humble background, my parents did just enough to provide shelter and basic education. It never crossed my mind that one day I would be among the best technicians in the city.

My journey as a technician started in 2022 after completing my Diploma in ICT and CISCO Networking course at Star Institute of Professionals. At the end of my course, I heard about Internship programs at Camara Education Kenya and decided to join. Looking back, I am glad I made the decision – this is where I expanded my knowledge base and garnered experience, which has proved to be invaluable. The team of experts at Camara Kenya is more than willing to help young men and women cross the gap between school graduation and the job market.

Camara Education Kenya equips interns with skills to navigate the job market. While interning at Camara, I had the opportunity to put into practice what I had learned in school. I did all this without the fear of making mistakes since the experts at Camara encouraged us not to fear mistakes but instead to embrace and learn from them. The trainers at Camara allowed us to tag along for field work. The number of trips I made to schools within Mombasa County for computer maintenance and networking is countless. This exposure has jumpstarted my career as a networking and computer technician at Erido Computer Solutions.

At Erido, I have undertaken different roles including computer repair, CCTV installation and maintenance, as well as being a sales agent. All this is a result of the interpersonal skills I gained from Camara Education Kenya, which have enabled me to navigate the job market efficiently.

Today, I pride myself on being among the best computer and networking technicians, courtesy of Camara Education Kenya. Thank you, Camara, for the opportunity to train with you and help kickstart my career.”

WhatsApp Image 2024-04-17 at 10.10.35 PM (1)

Refresher Training for Teachers

May 15, 2024

by johnfisher Camara Kenya Partnerships

Camara Education’s team in Kenya recently completed Refresher Training sessions for teachers in five counties — Mombasa, Kilifi, Makueni, Kajiado and Uasin Gishu.

This training was part of the STEM STEPS Project, with support from Dell Technologies, and serves a number of important purposes:

Updating Skills and Knowledge: Technology evolves rapidly, and refresher training helps teachers stay up to date with the latest ICT tools, software applications and teaching methodologies. It ensures that teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively integrate technology into their teaching practices.
Enhancing Teaching Practices: The Refresher Training equips teachers with innovative instructional strategies and techniques for integrating technology into lesson planning, content delivery and student engagement. It helps them leverage ICT tools to create interactive learning experiences, promote critical thinking and facilitate personalized learning.
Improving Digital Literacy: Not all teachers may be proficient in using ICT tools and digital resources. Refresher training provides opportunities for teachers to improve their digital literacy skills, including computer proficiency, internet research, multimedia creation and online collaboration.
Promoting Student-Centred Learning: The Refresher Training empowers teachers to adopt student-centred approaches that prioritize active learning, collaboration and inquiry-based instruction. By mastering ICT tools and resources, teachers can facilitate student-led projects, problem-solving activities and assessments that promote deeper understanding and engagement.
Addressing Classroom Challenges: Teachers may encounter various challenges when integrating technology into their classrooms, such as technical issues, digital distractions and accessibility concerns. Refresher training provides strategies and best practices for overcoming these challenges and maximizing the benefits of ICT in education.
Supporting Differentiated Instruction: The Refresher Training helps teachers differentiate instruction to meet the diverse needs and learning styles of their students. Teachers learn how to use technology to provide personalized learning experiences, accommodate individual learning preferences and support students with special needs.
Fostering Professional Growth: Continuous professional development is essential for teachers’ growth and effectiveness. The Refresher Training offers opportunities for collaborative learning, peer sharing and reflective practice, enabling teachers to continuously improve their teaching skills and adapt to changing educational contexts.
Preparing for the Future: In today’s digital age, ICT skills are essential for students’ future success in higher education and the workforce. The Refresher Training equips teachers with the tools and strategies to prepare students for the demands of a technology-driven society, fostering digital citizenship, critical thinking and lifelong learning skills.

Overall, Refresher Training plays a crucial role in empowering teachers to harness the power of technology to enhance teaching and learning outcomes, promote student engagement and achievement and prepare students for success in the digital age.

Maintenance and Support: a hidden side of our work

April 2, 2024

by John Fisher Computer maintenance Kenya

Maintenance and technical support are a crucial part of Camara Education’s work with schools, especially given the often hot and dusty climates where we operate.

The first priority is to check the hardware, ensuring both external and internal parts are clean and free from dirt and dust, helping to prevent overheating and maintain optimal airflow, performance and reliability. We’ll perform software updates and review functionality, performance and usability based on user feedback. Data backup and regular checks for disk errors safeguard important files and prevent data loss due to hardware failures or accidental deletion. And finally our technicians ensure that network infrastructure components such as switches and routers are properly performing and reliable.

These maintenance practices ensure the smooth operation, security and reliability of the computer lab hardware, software and network, enabling students, faculty and staff to maximise their productivity and utilise lab resources effectively.

*James Jira at Kamulalani Secondary School*

James Jira is one of our technical officers in Kenya, working in particular on the digital learning centres that form part of our STEM STEPS partnership with Dell Technologies. Here, he is carrying out regular maintenance visits to schools and installing one of our high-end servers in a secure cabinet. This provides a physical barrier that protects the server from unauthorised access, tampering and damage. It also helps create a controlled environment for the server, shielding it from dust, dirt, moisture and other environmental hazards. This helps maintain optimal operating conditions and prolongs the lifespan of the vital hardware.

*Makueni County Technical Training Institute*

Youth Training at our Community Hub

March 20, 2024

by John Fisher Kenya

The community ICT centre in Makueni County, Kenya, is a little different from many of the school digital learning centres Camara sets up. Established as part of our partnership with Dell Technologies, it offers its facilities to students from several schools in the surrounding area but also welcomes other community groups, including young people who are not in the education system but want to improve their life chances.

One of the trainees is Titus Nguma, who says ‘I would like to be an electrician and I joined the training in order to be able to gain more skills and apply the knowledge in my future technical course. One of the biggest benefits of this training is the positive impact you can have on the world through computers.’

Jackline Mutheu is another benefitting from vocational training. ‘I completed my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2023 and joined the Ukia Hub in February 2024. The hub is almost 17 Kilometres from my home in Kilala. I decided to join the hub since it’s a government educational centre, and I wanted to gain skills on how to operate a computer and matters concerning technology. Since I joined the hub, I have learned how to share information through email, communicate through social media, use Microsoft apps and increased my digital literacy. My main goal is to gain hands-on experience and develop a strong foundation for my future career in business information technology. I also plan to start an online job with the skills I’ve gained.’

Linet Minoo has similar aspirations. ‘I completed my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education in 2023 and joined Ukia ICT Hub in 2024 to gain computer skills. In secondary school I had no opportunity to use computers, so the technology will help us understand how we can use computers to enrich ourselves through online business as youths. Here at the Hub I have learnt a lot about computers and am still coming for more lessons. For now, I can run a computer without assistance, do research on education materials, and also look for digital content and entertainment. I am going to do ICT as my university course after finishing the training here at the Hub.’

For Nzioki Benedict Kioko, the hub may be a literal lifesaver. He explains: ‘I joined the Ukia hub so as to stay away from drug and substance abuse, HIV and AIDS, and to get to learn the use of technology and how to enhance my skills in this digital world. I can now explore and use the computer on my own without any assistance. I am inspired to do Computer Science as I am interested in technology.’

MOU signed with Makueni County

September 19, 2023

by johnfisher Kenya Partnerships

Camara Education Kenya and the County Government of Makueni signed a new Memorandum of Understanding at a meeting presided over by Makueni County Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and attended by Camara Country Director Biniam Yayehyirad, County Executive Committee Member for ICT, Education and Internship Elizabeth Muli, Camara Kenya Technical and Communication Officer James Jira, and other representatives of the county Government of Makueni.

*Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili and CEC Member Elizabeth Muli sign the MoU*

*Camara Kenya Country Director Biniam Yayehyirad signs the Agreement*

The key objective of this collaboration is to increase access and opportunities through ICT for as many individuals within Makueni County as possible and specifically:

Increased access and digital literacy for students and community members in Makueni County, both in and out of school;
Increased capacity of teachers and school leaders within Makueni County to incorporate ICT into teaching and learning;
Increased capacity of staff working in Makueni County’s Department of ICT, Education and Internship to use ICT in their roles;
Increased opportunity for students to develop technology-based skills and understanding of STEM subjects through ICT clubs;
Increased learner motivation and engagement by supporting inclusive education;
Technical support and guidance to ensure ICT equipment can be fully utilized and beneﬁted from;
Provision for e-waste management so that all end-of-life equipment is appropriately disposed of; and
Strengthened relationship and partnership between CKE and Makueni County for the overall beneﬁt of Citizenry within the County.

Under our previous agreement, in Partnership with Dell Technologies, Camara Education in Kenya has provided support to 15 secondary schools, 3 technical training institutes, and an innovation centre in Makueni County.