The room is light blue, lined on all sides with wooden desks and dividers. Older children in the community come in, sit down at their desks and press the “on” button. An entire world opens up in front of them.
Computer access in the 21st century is, in many cases, a key to the working world. Students learn, people connect and those on the job market can search accordingly and create a resume. The list goes on. Our computer-savvy world is always changing, and thankfully, Baba Nyumbani can be a place where students — both within and outside the community — can learn computer literacy.
Not all high schools in Kenya offer computer lessons, so children often must attend a basic computer training.
Instead of Horizon’s children traveling to take these classes, the community hosts their own, and invites other children in the area in as well. With 10 computers available in the computer lab, it’s an opportunity for Horizon to give back to the wider community.
Esther, Baba Nyumbani’s social worker, conducts the classes and prepares the young men and women for college life. She has a classroom helper, too: Samson Onyango, who studied computer in high school and excelled in the subject. Children from outside Baba Nyumbani pay $30 to enroll in the course, which takes one-and-a-half months. At the end, they take an exam and receive a certificate.
We’re excited to see how this computer program grows as more students take the course and gain literacy in a new language.