IT and Cyber Support

Background:

Are you a tech-savvy expert who also has a passion in sharing knowledge and living in another country? Can you design websites? Would you like to have a mark of your own in the land of Simba? Then this is your chance.

'The internet is becoming the town square for the global village of tomorrow.'

- Bill Gates

Indeed, as certain as his words are, most east African communities are bereft of better networking skills. Some don’t even know what the world is going through, even in present times. Their major source for the outside world is the news screen on televisions. What they understand is the paramount importance of gadgets and their importance but their outreach is limited to basic social media.

Ongoing problems:

• Kids have computer studies in their curricula yet they lack any practical training; teachers often use single tabs or blackboards to explain them.
• Very little or no vocational training is imparted to youths graduating from sophomore year. This diminishes their chances to go abroad or pursue their desired career in programming or cybernetics, etc.
• Women are often restricted to household chores despite their ability to pick up IT skills faster than their male counterparts; YES!! The age-old stigma of masculine superiority still exists in this part of the world. This is due to lack of proper training personnel or lack of funds or digital resources (computers, projectors, etc.) to continue the much-needed training.
• Websites are not often properly organized by professionals which render schools and other social projects helpless and vulnerable to mouth-of-word existence as well as marketability. As such, people resort to very expensive developers or the whole project simply falls stagnant.

Current requirements:

• We need tech-smart people (preferably retired or current professionals) to come in & teach these youths about the automated growth within society and how it can help them in furthering the career prospects in future.
• We also need website developers and website content designers which is of urgent preference. Somebody who can fund and create a budget-friendly website would be very useful and aptly appreciable in this hour of need.
• We could use former or current programming or IT instructors to teach kids about computers, internet, database programming, logo, etcetera.
• Lastly, we could use people who can get us help in availing donations in resources (gadgets and tools).

First Day: On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your accommodation by a local coordinator/staff member and allowed to relax and rest.

Following that, you will meet the admin and the organizational hierarchy who will explain the work and the ongoing projects to be done.

Weekdays - A typical volunteer day would be as follows:

• 8:30 AM: Volunteer leaves for the project destination. The volunteer joins with the local staff and will be oriented about the work to be done.
• 12.00 PM – 2.00 PM: Lunch break. During this lunch break, you are welcome to eat out or eat at the accommodation.
• 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM: Work at the project usually ends. The volunteer at this point is free to travel around and explore or do anything at his/her own choice.
• 7.00 PM: Dinner in the volunteer house.

Saturdays and Sundays are free days for the volunteers. They can choose to explore the city around or do as they wish.

Volunteers can assist the kids in household chores such as cleaning, laundry, cooking, dishes, etc. or career counseling sessions can be held with prior intimation.

Note – Volunteers are advised to bring their own equipment and will work closely with social workers and teachers. Volunteers would assist the teachers in creating a positive and collaborative atmosphere and supporting them in giving instructions to kids. About the location, volunteers could be arranged to go to either of the schools under the social project based on the availability and requirement. Every locale will be coast-side so instructions would be forwarded after prior discussion.

Official languages are Swahili and English.

Wildlife:

Kenya has a considerable land area devoted to wildlife habitats, including the Masai Mara, where blue wildebeest and other bovids participate in large-scale annual migration.

The “Big five” game animals of Africa (lion, leopard, buffalo, Rhinoceros and elephants) can be found in the Masai Mara in particular.

The annual animal migration occurs between June and September, with millions of animals taking part, attracting valuable foreign tourism.

During the weekend, volunteers have spare time to relax or take the opportunity to explore the Mombasa locale, such as visiting the beach, planning a fun and entertainment program with the kids, visiting local homes, etc.

NOTE – The program coordinator can arrange for sightseeing, only after proper intimation and discussion.