Intel is looking to enroll 2000 women and girls in Kenya in a digital literacy training program under the Intel® She Will Connect program that will run until 2016.
The programme will involve training of women and girls at various Pasha Centres in 27 selected counties. Intel is collaborating with The Rockefeller Foundation, USAID, Safari Connect and The Youth Banner, a Pasha Business development Consultant for the ICT Authority. At the end of the training, the women and the girls will have a chance to start their own businesses or be employed.
The ICT Authority, through the Youth Banner has so far recruited 35 Pasha Centres into the program. The Pasha Centres will offer a specially designed self-tutoring curriculum known as Intel® Learn Easy Steps which is designed to help learners expand their understanding and use of technology. To join this training, Women and girls will registar with Ksh. 3000.
“One of our mandates as an authority is to develop ICT skills and capacity in order to serve Kenyans better. We are championing this through partnerships, investment and infrastructure growth. Partners and initiatives like ‘Intel® Will Connect Program’ are essential if we are to achieve our development agenda. This program particularly marries with our goal of taking ICT to the marginalized and underserved through Pasha Centres,” says Victor Kyalo, Ag, CEO, ICT Authority.
Karen Freeman, Mission Director of the USAID said that their organisation will be investing $1.5 million on the She Will Connect project.
Suraj Shah Africa Programs Director, Intel Corporation said: “The opportunities associated with women gaining access to the Internet include improvements in self-esteem and expression, expanding their social and political participation, providing new skills that enable them to obtain formal education, become entrepreneurs, secure employment, and have access to information as well as new connections within their communities and beyond.”
Wairimu Kagondu, Senior Program Associate at the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office said, “We will connect high potential but disadvantaged young women that complete Intel® She Will Connect training with a series of online tools developed through the Foundation’s Digital Jobs Africa initiative.”
Sanjay Dharamshi, Director at Safari Connect Ltd said: “Our Company will provide these women with entrepreneurship training, mentoring and subsequently assist them to set up their businesses by availing Safaricom products including devices, airtime, SIM cards, modems as well as the latest tablets and phones at dealer price subject to a minimum investment of KSh. 50,000.”