Student Voices: Why We Need Access to Digital Skills
In February 24, 2020, DigiTruck rolled into Bomet County in Kenya.
Converted from a shipping container, the truck is a solar-powered mobile classroom kitted out with digital devices and the latest Internet access tech. It has one major purpose: to help build futures. It does this by bringing digital skills to remote communities via a 40-hour training course delivered by Computer for Schools Kenya (CFSK).
Covering topics like basic computer skills, the Internet, and running an online business, we believe that DigiTruck has the potential to change lives.
But don’t take our word for it. In this post in the DigiTruck series, we hear from trainees Sharon Chpng’eno, Timothy Rono, Faith Chepkirui, and Ivan Omariba on why digital skills matter.
DigiTruck Student: Sharon Chepng’eno
DigiTruck Student: Timothy Rono
I am Timothy Rono from Bomet County, one of the beneficiaries of DigiTruck class, sponsored by Huawei in conjunction with CFSK.
First, I’m very happy to have taken part in the class and proud to have learned and successfully passed the course – now I am one of the computer literate in my community and in Kenya. I feel I greatly benefited from learning computer skills, which in the 21st century, are an integral part of the professional environment. It will no doubt have many advantages in my future career.
Studying computers will enable me to more fully participate in society, as I can now do more things efficiently, like buying and selling products online, communicating to the world, conducting research, and even pay my bills.
Truly, computers are now a fact of life. Thank you Huawei and CFSK and may God bless you abundantly. I am proud to have been part of this course.
Read more: Computer for Schools Kenya: Reaching Remote Communities with DigiTruck
DigiTruck Student: Ivan Omariba
DigiTruck Student: Faith Chepkirui
My experience with the DigiTruck over the three-week period of learning computer skills was one of the best initiatives that Bomet has seen, thanks to Huawei, CFSK, and Bomet County. The class was an interesting one and essential for life skills. Having studied inside the truck, I found it to be well maintained and the environment in there was conducive to learning. We were able to learn in shifts, with each class lasting for two hours. The truck itself had all the necessary electrical and computer equipment, making it possible for 20 students to study simultaneously. Also the DigiTruck class was very reliable in that we only needed to arrange a convenient time to attend the classes, because the truck can be positioned anywhere. Another important thing about it is that it was free, which helps many of us who are struggling with finances – it was a great benefit that I want to thank all the stakeholders for.
The trainers ensured that we went through all the modules in the three weeks, with entrepreneurship and the Internet as extra topics. Through the modules, especially Microsoft Word, we learned how to format text and improve our typing skills. At first most of us were slow at typing but towards the end, my speed had increased which I felt was a real achievement. The course opened up my mind on how we can use the Internet to run a business and also how we can learn online. In my opinion, the trainers understood everyone’s learning pace. And being the pioneers of the DigiTruck class in Bomet is something that am sure is the beginning of a new life for most of us.
I personally found that the Digitruck classes were also very helpful in motivating us to learn. At first, the idea of having a class in a truck seemed impossible, but when I got in there to study I realised that anything can be made to be useful, in this case in a way that will impact our lives.
I would like to give my sincere thanks to Huawei, CFSK, and all the stakeholders who came up with the initiative. With the DigiTruck, I’m certain that technology can reach remote places, and in the future, advanced technologically will be found in all places.
Gratitude,
Faith Chepkirui.
DigiTruck has so far trained 1,145 students and 100 teachers in 6 counties in Kenya. The COVID-19 pandemic may have pushed the pause button on DigiTruck for the moment, but the future is still wide open for Sharon, Timothy, Ivan, Faith, and the residents of Bomet.
Visit the Education4ALL page on our TECH4ALL minisite for more info on the tech-based education initiatives we’re running with our partners.
Disclaimer: Any views and/or opinions expressed in this post by individual authors or contributors are their personal views and/or opinions and do not necessarily reflect the views and/or opinions of Huawei Technologies.
