Background
The Kiiti Kamba Foundation (KKF) ICT Bootcamp was held on August 22-23, 2024 at the Makueni Innovation Hub in Green Park, Wote, Makueni County. With 27 KKF sponsored high school students in attendance, the event was engaging, using a very participatory approach to learning.
The Bootcamp was facilitated by two of KKF’s ICT/Computer Science university graduates and recent alumni. The lead facilitator, Stephen Muendo developed the curriculum, while he was in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where he graduated with 2nd Class – Upper Division.
He was assisted by Nicholas Musyoka who completed his ICT/Computer Science degree at the University of Eldoret and is currently teaching a computer course in Masinga, as part of his internship program.
The integration of KKF alumni into our mentoring and training programs amplifies a key tenet of the Foundation–‘every supported student must give back to build and serve others in our local communities.’ Alumni engagement, in mentoring younger students, is a unique feature of all of KKF’s programs and events.
The Process
The students were engaged throughout the two-day sessions which covered several computer packages (e.g. Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, among others). Frequently working in teams, they asked insightful questions. Following the first day, it was clear from the content review, that they were garnering a great deal of information while learning the basics of digital technology. They were able to effectively recite all they had learned from technical hardware and software issues to presentation and navigation skills.
The Collaboration
The training was hosted at the Makueni Innovation Hub by Department of ICT, Education, and Internship represented by Purity Mutinda, ICT Officer. During the course of the second day, several County leaders stopped in to observe and share at the workshop. The County Executive County of Makueni (CECM) ICT, Education and Internship–Elizabeth Ndunge Muli, Chief Officer Education–Irene Makau, and area MCA–Felix Mateso, attended the morning session and engaged while encouraging the students. They all highlighted the importance of learning about innovation and technology because the future will be digital. They also outlined and emphasized the many internship and attachment opportunities, in Makueni County, and reiterated the need for competitive applications. There was also mention of the various scholarships and bursaries available and accessible to needy students.
The training was also graced by a key KKF partner representative, the ABSA Manager for the Wote Branch, Mr. Mutua. He reiterated and encouraged the students to be innovative and maintain that desire to be digitally astute, a core value for the workforce.
The Impact
Students were invigorated and inspired to continue learning more about our increasingly digital world. Some students wanted to know when they could participate in another training program to dig deeper and learn. Others mentioned that they were going to try and set time aside, during their holidays, to come to the Makueni Innovation Hub or to take additional courses at a local cybercafé. All in all, it was clear that the quality of the training, content covered, and the practical skills have provided the students with a strong foundation to build on.
This is the second KKF ICT Bootcamp in eight months.(see: https://kkf.or.ke/alumni/kkf-alumni-facilitate-ict-boot-camp-for-sponsored-students/). Our goal is to continue building on these initiatives and partnerships to expose a larger group of young people to the digital world. After the program, one KKF Advisor commented, “The program’s success highlights the power of mentorship in shaping the leaders of tomorrow and underscores the importance of innovation in driving progressive, sustainable development.”
