Dell screen

Maintenance and Support: a hidden side of our work

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
Ukia

Youth Training at our Community Hub

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.’

Titus Nguma

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.’

Linet Minoo

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.’

Nzioki Benedict Kioko
IMG-20230908-WA0029

MOU signed with Makueni County

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.