Education Kenya Project #13015

Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

by Kenya Connect (KC)

Empower, Engage, Educate in Rural Kenya!

Project Report | Jul 1, 2015
Powering Up the Center with Solar!

By Sharon Runge and James Musyoka | Executive Director and Chief of Operations

Mumo, a level four student, came to school and was told by his teacher that he was going to visit the Kenya Connect Learning Resource Center to use the computers! Mumo had a Pen Pal through Kenya Connect and heard about the LRC, but had never been to the center, nor had he ever seen or used a computer. Imagine his excitment!

Over 800 students like Mumo have visited the Kenya Connect Learning Resource Center either taking an eight week technology workshop or having a one day introduction to computer class. As the LRC has been in operation, the staff has recommended that it become fully energy independent by installing additional solar panels to the roof. As a result of Global Giving Donors like you, and a grant from the EBay/PayPal Foundation, Kenya Connect installed two additional solar panels, an inverter charger and two batteries. With our exisiting two solar panels and this new installation we are now halfway to being "Green Energy" Independent center!

Not only will this help in our long-term operational expenses, but also serves as a demonstration site on green energy for the students and larger community.

As Mumo used the computers he was astonished at what they could do and how easy they were to use. Mumo is going to continue to work hard in school so he can visit the center again.

On behalf of Mumo and all the students and teachers who have and will visit the LRC a HUGE THANK YOU!

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Apr 17, 2015
Over 120 Students Graduate With Computer Literacy Skills!

By James Musyoka | Field Director & Director of Operations

Congratulations for completing the course!

Our dream to empower students and teachers with skills for the 21^st century continues to come true! The number of students graduating from the Kenya Connect computer literacy classes has continued to rise. This March, 127 students received their completion certificates bringing the total graduates of the technology classes to 452 students and 120 teachers. These students have been attending 2-hours sessions of intensive and hands-on training once a week at the LRC. They have been immersed into computer basics, word-processing and Internet skills. The graduating students had the special opportunity of meeting with the Kenya Connect co-founder; Mr. Tim Gregory who officiated at their graduation ceremony and encouraged them to continue practicing the skills to keep up with technology of the 21st century.

"I am so excited to receive a certificate. I am now able to work with a computer and type a letter to my pen pal” Willy M. a student from Nunga Primary School commented.

Meanwhile, another group of 118 students from three primary schools; Wamunyu ABC, Mbaikini and Kambiti, started their computer training in March. The training will take 13 weeks and the students are scheduled to complete the course by May.

We also continue to offer professional development workshops for our teachers. Recently, the Kenya Connect team was thrilled to welcome Rukiya M. and George K. from the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi to the Learning Resource Center for a workshop on resources for teachers of English Language and the use the e-library. A total of 30 teachers in Wamunyu participated and received essential teaching materials like games for learning English and a collection of children's song posters for their classroom use. The teachers are now eligible to enroll in free on-line courses through the embassy which include topics such as: “Spoken Grammar and the Role in the English Classroom”, “Going Green: Merging Environmental Education and Language instruction”, and “Rock and Roll English Instruction”. So far it looks like 19 teachers will be participating.

One of the teachers, Frederick N. from Mwasua Primary School commented, ...I am very excited to begin an online course for English Language teachers organized through the US embassy. I had no idea that there are plenty of online courses I could learn for free!

These types of professional development programs for teachers and enrichment programs for students would not be possible without YOU! Your support of 21st Century Connections has provided the operational support and teaching resources for over 15,000 students and 300 teachers we serve in Wamunyu.

As always, we are deeply grateful and thankful for your generous support.

Student from Mwaasua PS recieves a certifiicate

Mr. Gregory awards certificates to the students

A student gets instruction on computer use at LRC

Mwende's first day at the computer lab!

Teachers' workshop conducted by US Embassy staff

Links:

Blog on workshop by US Embassy staff

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Jan 30, 2015
Connections Were Made Today!

By Sharon Runge | Executive Director

I was very excited to participate in a book discussion of the Red Kayak with our friends at Arundel HS through Skype. This was my first time ever to talk over Skype!

(Fridah Mbithe)

Students from Arundel High School have tried for the last three years to hold a "skyped" book group with the book club from Nyanni Secondary School in Wamunyu. Although they have held the book group reading The Number 1 Ladies Detective Club and The Giver, the connection has never been clean with the video dropping out or the sound not working. Today students from both schools discussed the Red Kayak for close to an hour!

The skyped book discussion made me feel connected with our friends at Arundel HS. Our separation by distance no longer counts!

(Faith Mwende)

It was thrilling to see the smiles on their faces when they saw one another and to hear their perspectives on the book. It was a powerful event, and one that helps our students in Kenya strengthen their reading and comprehension skills along with their use of English (their third language).

The discussion deepened my understanding of the book. I now feel encouraged to read more books and participate in skyped book discussions in the future.

(Joseph Ilia - president of Nyaani book club)

The leaders of the Arundel High group, Anna, Torie and Abby, are already planning our next skyped session. We will be hosting a social skyped event in March providing an opportunity for students to get to know more about each other and their communities and in May we will have another book discussion featuring, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

These kinds of valuable learning experiences are as a result of YOU! The cabling of the LRC computers and the installation of the satellite dish have made a world of difference in our ability to connect. Now that the connection is strong, the Kenya Connect staff has access to the multitude of educational resources found on the interent. Your ongoing support allows us to pay for the ongoing connection costs and the running and staffing of the center.

Asante Sana for helping students in rural Kenya learn through the work of Kenya Connect. You are making a difference in the lives of girls and boys in a rural viallage.

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