The second week of training has just finished. The team will be heading up to Lamu this week to do some training there - its one of the most remote regions in Kenya with Camara computer labs and inevitably given its location there are extra challenges there particularly around power supply and computer maintenance. However, we realised at an early stage that if you are going to equip schools in a remote area you need to equip a cluster so they can support one another. To date this has worked really successfully, even in Lamu.
Lamu island is a world heritage area and is a stunning place to visit.
One of the big differences this year is that local trainees will be coming with us to help with the training. Ultimately it is local people who will be doing the outreach training and maintenance needs on an ongoing basis. Everyone has been amazed at the level of knowledge and expertise the local trainees have got to.
For most of them, the trip to Lamu will be like their first holiday despite the fact that we will be working very hard! Many of the trainees have never travelled further then the suburbs of Mombasa. It really humbles you to see the excitement and anticipation of people getting ready for the trip. Back home we really take free time and our leisure time for granted.
Another big development is that one of schools in Mombasa receiving computers this week has agreed to pay the local trainees to train them in the use of their computers. The fee is nominal but enough to suggest that this could be done on an ongoing basis with other schools. And this means the local trainees can start generating revenue from the skills they have learned in the hub. Most importantly this can be an incentive for people to learn in the first place and so the entire cycle from education to enterprise is sustained.
As the Digital Hub develops here you can see three 'divisions' emerging. The refurbishment section (generating revenue from the sale and installation of the computers), the training section charging affordable rates for courses and the maintenance section generating revenue from maintenance contracts with schools.
Obviously given that the entity is a not for profit any charges are going to be commiserate with whatever people on the fringes can afford. The basic ethos of making technology and training affordable to everyone will not be compromised.
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