This week from 5th to 11th December, computer week has been running in different parts of the world and in Kenya too.
Why is there such a big global push for people and especially kids to learn coding? Because quite frankly computing is the present and the even bigger future. Workplaces of the future will almost all require computer skills and not just the basic ones. Yet, in Kenya particularly, many kids do not even have access to computers let alone being able to take time to code.
But some organizations, Microsoft included, would like to change that one child at a time by reaching out to the kids and training them how to code simple games. This in itself is just a start. It may not make the children experts in coding but it will plant the interest and since their level of coding is fun and produces instant fun results, kids will most likely want to continue and advance.
These kids have got their line of code right! #HourofCode pic.twitter.com/njXuExYrJ4
— Shiko-Msa (@Shiko_Msa) December 8, 2016
In Kenya, efforts are ongoing throughout the country including Vihiga and Kajiado among other areas. In Nairobi especially, the daily training episodes for Computer Week started at Kangemi resource center on Monday. The center is a refuge for children from the area who come in to use resources like the library and computer room. Mothers with young children can also leave them there as they go to work.
Day two the training team went to Holy Trinity Church in Kitengela. This is a holiday program where teens of the church go for mentorship and other activities to build them and to occupy them especially during long school holidays.
Day three was at Frank Educational Center in Ngando Slums Dagoretti. This is a community center as well as a school with about 200 students.
Day four saw the trainers go to Nyumbani Children’s Home, a home that provides a loving environment and crucial care for HIV positive children.
Today Friday, the trainers from Kids Comp Camp are in partnership with Young Enterprise Education in Schools (YEES) are reaching out to children in Kawangware.
Tomorrow Saturday, the week closes at HOYWIK school in Kibera. HOYWIK stands for Humanity For Orphans, Youth and Widows Initiative Kenya.
This is certainly a worthy initiative whose positive results will be felt over the years.
