Digital Empowerment
In our association we focus on a future-oriented education, which enables people to escape from the poverty spiral. In an increasingly networked world, we are convinced that digital education can be one of the key factors on the way out of poverty. Therefore, we had the vision to add a digital branch to the Smiles Africa Charity and so we initiated a Digital Empowerment Pilot Project in early 2020. But before we tell you more about the goals, the process and the results of the project, we should first clarify what digital empowerment means to us.
What does Digital Empowerment mean to us?
For us, digital empowerment means much more than giving people access to digital technologies. It is a multi-stage process that gives individuals new skills and opportunities to better participate and express themselves in a networked society through information technology.
Why do we want to be active in this area?
In our association we focus on a future-oriented education, which enables people to escape from the poverty spiral. In an increasingly networked world, we are convinced that digital education can be one of the key factors on the way out of poverty. Therefore, we had the vision to add a digital branch to the Smiles Africa Charity and so we initiated a Digital Empowerment Pilot Project in early 2020. But before we tell you more about the goals, the process and the results of the project, we should first clarify what digital empowerment means to us.
The aim of the project was to hold a one-week intensive workshop with young adults from Korogocho and its surroundings. This workshop should enable the participants to create websites independently with the help of the content management system WordPress. At the end of the week, each participant should be able to go online with his or her own website and maintain it independently. In order to ensure the sustainability of the project, a Digital Empowerment Network should also be created, in which the participants, other interested parties and we as project initiators/coaches can continuously exchange information. We also hoped that the knowledge gained would be passed on to third parties in the future, so that others could also benefit indirectly from the pilot project.
RESULTS/ LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES
Looking back, we can proudly announce that our goals were achieved. Almost all participants went online with their own website at the end of the week. The planned Digital Empowerment Network was realized and even without us the websites are being continuously developed and maintained.
But see for yourself what an amazing results our participants have achieved in only six days:
Our first Digital Empowerment Workshop was a lot of fun for us and all participants and we were all able to learn with and from each other. We are happy that we could turn this initial thought into reality thanks to your generous donations. We are curious to see where the journey will lead us!
Finally, in the name of all course participants and the entire association, we have only one thing left to say: ASANTE SANA!
THE WORKSHOP AT RECAP
Pictures speak more than a thousand words.
Take a look behind the scenes!
INTEREST IN A PROJECT COOPERATION?
We would like to remain active in this area and create a possible way out of the poverty spiral through digital education. If you are interested in a project cooperation, if you want to bring in your own ideas or if you want to help us with the purchase of laptops, please contact us!