Two Months of Computer Lab at Kibra Academy

It is a chilly afternoon in Nairobi. Lunch has just ended and I am shivering at Kibra Academy, getting ready to find out from the students whether the 10 laptops and 20 desktops donated for their computer lab two months are a true asset or not.

I begin with Brian Muchiri and Ahmed Khadija, both form one students (9th grade). My first question to all of them was the exact date the computer lab was officially opened. Although they can not remember the date, Brian is very glad to know how to use the machines. He wants to run a catering business in the future and feels computer literacy will come handy in advertisement and other aspects of his business. Khadija had never operated a computer before, and thinks herself privileged now with the free lessons at school. She would like to become a medical practitioner and the computers will aid her research on medical matters.

“How would you integrate the knowledge you are gaining to improve your community?” I ask. Brian responds, "I would like to volunteer to teach more people in Kibera how to use computers."

Edward Mbuti, a four four student, also accepts my invite for an interview and admits learning lots of new things since the computer lab was opened at Kibra Academy. With only one month left before KCSE national exams that determine whether can get admission to university, Edward uses the machines as a ‘mind relaxer.’ He strolls to the lab every evening after a long day in class, uses the computers for a while to clear his head before going back for evening preps with a fresh mind. Edward explains that the knowledge gained shall make him cope successfully when employed. He hopes for the introduction of an internet connection to all the computers in the lab so he can ciommunicate with people from all over the world. “Any last word?” Edward: "Thanks a lot to the Children of Kibera Foundation for noticing some people needed to be introduced to the world."

The interviews with the first three students warm me already. It is now time for science classes, and more students are moving from one classroom to the next. I manage to catch a few moments with Ali Husan and Jamaldin Hussein. Ali is very grateful she says, "my future is getting shaped already with the computer knowledge at hand." Jamaldin's aspiration is to become a university lecturer of engineering and to give back to the community what he got free. Both students would like to see the school offer certification courses in computers that will add value to their resumes.