WOMEN AND THE WEB

Technology........Technology, the world in our fingertips aka global village.I moved around in my community looking at how naive and ignorant our women and girls were on the issues of technology and pitied the future of the community.Most of them thought that that technology is meant for the 'BIG BOYS' as they referred to men at that time but be sure we have changed that school of thoughts

A spot check in the local cyber cafes you could realize that only men and a few women frequented there not because women are denied the chance to access but because they believed it does not concern them. I guess may be because of the 'HYPE' caused by the social media. I the word because I believe even what is said on the social media is a rumour to the since most of them are not in any of these media platforms.This reminded me a survey that said more than 70% of women in sub saharan Africa have never accessed the web.

Here women believed that technology is a waste of time and resources.They ignorantly could not buy a powerful cell phone which can enable the access most the sites neither could they acquire a computer.Mostly they had those which are called locally as 'mulika mwizi' a swahili term translated as spot a thief, this is to say they are mainly used to for calling and receiving phone calls and also used as a spotlight at night.

The Intel group through the World Vision Kenya chapter Matete ADP in the year 2013 procured computers for some selected schools in our sub county under what was known as spark a child digital future.The laptops were supposed to be used for integration of in and learning and the acquisition of the 21st century skills to both learners and teachers.I was lucky to one of the teachers who trained to carry out the exercise since our school was one of the school that was earmarked for the programe. The few who were trained we became the Digital Ambassadors.

In the year 2015 in the month of March our ADP together with other partners we came up with an idea of how we can use the same computer hubs to digitalize the women and girls so that they can also be part of the 30% of the women in the sub Saharan who can access the web, and be technology compliant.We formulated a schedule that can sooth the women and girls in our local set up.The programe was dubbed WOMEN AND THE WEB ALLIANCE.

The schedule contained basic computer and entreprenuaral skills.We incorporated entreprenuaral skills so that they can be able to do something after the training and become self reliant.The schedule was as follows; Introduction of computers, word processor, multimedia/power point, internet and emailing, internet safety, online marketing/training, introduction to entreprenuership, money management/finances, marketing plan, branding, collecting feedback online and making a profile portfolio.

On the internet and email for example we train them on how to access the net and the do's and dont's while on the since there are so many risks on the net.We also train them on how to open an email account, how to read and write mails among others.On online training and marketing we train them on how to get online services especially when dealing with business and business ideas which we teach as part of entreprenuaral skills.This helps them to market their products online.We also teach on how to collect feedback online.

After the formulation we embarked on campaign and sensitization of trainees to come and learn.We went around the village on door to door campaign, in schools, places of worship e t c so that we could spread the campaign and get big numbers of trainees since we wanted to reach out to many women.

At the initial cohorts of training a number of women feared to enroll, I guess because of the 'usual' stigma and phobia.We had also levied a fee of ksh.600 which is equivalent to $12 for the same which could be used for servicing and simple maintainence of the gadgets, but we later realised it was a tall order for them thus we made it absolutely free.Other reasons could be some women thought they were to old to grasp, others never went beyond basic education level, while others needed to get permission from there spouses.

After making further sensitization the enrollment increased vehemently.As am writing now we have trained a total of 9 cohorts and we are working on the 10th cohort.We have divided the training in 6 weeks per session but we are planing to reduce period 4 weeks so that we can meet the target.

The training have really yielded fruits as we can get from success stories from the previous trainees.some examples are as narrated below;-we have an an old mama who after the training she now runs a cyber cafe in her local market.She has employed 2 employees who are all former trainees.She does typesetting, printing, photocopying, scanning e.t.c. She has a good number of clients ranging from individuals to institution around her premises and far.She is now able to sustain her family and the families of her employees.

We also have a case of a standard eight drop out (Basic level of education in Kenya) who have started a kindergarten school.she takes care of children in day care, baby class, middle level and top class level of education.she has employed three teachers so to speak who are all learnt than herself, she now calls herself THE DIRECTORand indeed she is one.

We also have several cases of our trainees who have acquired employment using the certificates we awarded to them thanks to the WOMEN AND THE WEB.Some have even joined tertiary colleges which offers basic courses related to what we do in our training.

We do alot of online consultations with the previous trainees to make sure that they ate always kept to with what they are doing after training, we also still do alot of guiding and question and answering on where they feel they need some clarification.

Mmmmmmmmmmm..............I look behind from where we started and thank God for everything.When I look at women who were running away from technology in my community, run for technology I feel wooow. When I see them exchange ideas and call me in there group meetings to give a talk on the new members tears of joy run down my cheeks.I will do this until the whole community is technology complia

REMEMBER WHEN A WOMAN IS SKILLED THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.