 |
|
|
|
|
 |
NAIROBITS KENYA
|
 NairoBits
was conceived in the Netherlands in January, 2000, to teach
slum kids in Nairobi, Kenya, the skills they need to become
Webmasters—to create their own content, not just consume
it; to increase their chances for financial independence; and
to give them the ability—and self-confidence—they
need to determine their own futures.
 Initial
Successes. NairoBits trained its first class of 20 students
in an intensive two-month session during February and March,
2000. The students learned how to use industry standard software
applications, including Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver,
Microsoft Word, Gif Builder, and Netscape, and how to maintain
the computers and other equipment. By the end of the session,
each student had created his or her own Web site.
Cultivating a Local Stake. Ever since
NairoBits was created, a primary aim has been to transition
both responsibility and initiative from the Netherlands to real
stakeholders in Kenya. A first step was to create strong local
partnerships.
 |
| George Otieno Juma, 19, wants to
be a photographer. |
Its main partnership has been with the Mathare
Youth Sports Association (MYSA), a soccer league for youth in
Mathare, Nairobi's largest slum, who promise to stay away from
drugs and alcohol and clean up their neighborhoods as a form
of membership dues. MYSA's role has been to select participants
for the course—and it has lent NairoBits an important credibility
among the youth. The original plan was for MYSA eventually to
adopt the project and extend it to the other 10,000 students
in its membership.
The first class's success made it clear that more could be achieved.
What was originally a one-year training course designed and
organized in Amsterdam has developed into a full-fledged, local
organization—NairoBits Kenya—with a board, four full-time
employees, an office, and clearly defined goals and working
methods.
 Evolution.
NairoBits training has had a number of positive effects in the
community. The Kenyan slums are now represented on the Internet,
and some of their dwellers can be called members of the Web
community-which has positively impacted their self-image.
NairoBits also began to offer opportunities for students to
make their training really pay off. Its first commission was
to develop the Web site of the
Royal Dutch Embassy in Kenya. Since then, other commissions
have included designing a Flash presentation for the Web site
of
Stipo Consulting and the Web site of ICCO,
the Dutch Interchurch Organization for Development Cooperation.
Soon to come are the official Web sites of the Foreign
Correspondents' Association and the Mathare United football
team. Some students have even become freelance Web designers.
Also see Images In Transit, designed by NairoBits for the Mombasa Billboard Project.
 Becoming
a professional Web developer takes more than technical training—it
also takes training in the organizational and financial ins
and outs involved on the business side of things. The goal is
for NairoBits Kenya to become not only a permanent training
center, but also a market-oriented Web design company offering
students practical experience and income.
|
|
|
|
|
|
