Taking Computers to the People

AWiTaD (Afro-Women in Technology and Design.)

About this Episode.

1:150 and 1:5. This is the ratio of computers to kids in rural and urban settings as found in a study done in Kenya. Lenah Wanjiku is one of the co founders of African Centurion, which is the umbrella organization for Kids Comp Camp and Computer Mashinani. These initiatives aim to empower both kids and adults with computer skills to help bridge the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M) gap between citizens living in rural and urban areas.

Having come from a humble rural background, Lenah made it her mission to upscale her life and the lives of others who are just like her using technology as her tool. After excelling in secondary school, she got admission at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology where she pursued a degree in Agricultural Engineering. In this episode, we get to learn about the challenges and triumphs on her quest to bridge the educational gap that exists in the technology world between rural and urban settings in Kenya and ultimately between Kenya and other developed countries.

About LENAH

Lenah Wanjiku is the project lead at Kids Comp Camp, a non-profit venture that helps to digitally empower young learners from Africa's underserved communities. Lenah co-founded Kids Comp Camp with her colleagues in 2014 while still undertaking her bachelor's degree in Kenya. The organisation has so far reached out to more than 9000 kids in Kenya and Rwanda, with 54% of the kids being girls. 90% of the total number of kids reached had a chance to interact with technology for the first time in their lives. At Kids Comp Camp, Wanjiku is tasked with identifying communities, key stakeholders and partners and for the past five years, she has contributed to drafting content for, and leading ICT training at Kids Comp Camp.

Wanjiku is a Bio-Mechanical and Processing Engineering graduate from the Jomo Kenyatta University of Technology, Kenya. She is also an IT expert and Mentor. Through her work, she has been recognized by notable organizations both locally and internationally such as Global Citizen Youth Leadership Cisco Award, 2018 where she was a semi-finalist. Wanjiku is also a Zuri Award 2019 STEM category nominee.

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Music Credits

1. Kiki Riki – Zameka feat. Trademark
2. Yonkito – Prince Kaybee feat. Zanda
3. Friendzone – Prince Kaybee feat. Ziyon
4. Club Controller – Prince Kaybee feat. La Soulmates, TNS, Zanda Zakuza
5. Shukuma – Prince Kaybee feat. Phindile
6. Charlotte – Prince Kaybee feat. Lady Zamar