Digital Literacy & Tech for a Rural Kenyan School

Using our privilege as students studying STEM subjects and our summer break, Fred, Filipos and I are Year 12 Students who are looking to make a lasting impact to a junior school in rural Kenya (Mbaranga, Meru, Kenya).

In the UK, the exposure children have to computers from a young age is often taken for granted. Early introduction to computers allows children to develop essential digital literacy skills crucial in today's technology-driven world. However, for rural schools in Kenya, such as this one, where my mother went to primary school, access to computers is a privilege rather than the norm. This discrepancy exacerbates the digital divide, widening the gap between developing countries like Kenya and developed nations like the UK.

As technology continues to advance rapidly, the lack of access to computers and digital literacy skills further perpetuates this gap, hindering opportunities for education, employment, and socioeconomic development.

Our plan involves bringing 10 Raspberry Pi units, along with monitors and other peripherals, to Mbaranga Primary School in Meru, Kenya. As a group of 3 volunteers, we aim to teach digital literacy skills to 30 junior school students aged 11 to 13, who have shown exceptional promise, organised into three groups of 10.

The effect of this initiative is to create lasting change in the community, as these skills can be passed down from school year to school year. Eventually, these computers will complement the new curriculum being introduced in Kenyan junior schools to teach Computer Science. Our aim is to empower students and broaden their vision.

The breakdown for the targeted £2500 is as follows:

- £1500 for fundraising for the 10 computer systems (£150 per computer)

- £300 for other peripherals (mi-fi, projector, other essential purchases)

- £500 for data for 2 years of internet

- £200 for general fundraising for the school (other learning resources).

If we surpass our target, we will use the extra money to buy more of the computer systems for the school. We appreciate your donations and generosity, thank you.