Youths flock Maarifa to acquire skills

By BettKipsang'

One hundred and twelve (112) community members, majority of them youths, have been recruited to start computer lessons and Journalism skills training at Ng’arua Maarifa Centre.  The trainees converged last Friday for orientation to familiarize them with the training and some other responsibilities. A timetable was developed and shared with the students. Both lessons commenced Monday. 

One of the youths acquiring skills in Maarifa Centre

 A team of 18 youths, 11 males and 7 females interested in Community Journalism were recruited. RisperMukamiKiguru 18, a form four leaver is a happy girl; she is awaiting her KCSE results but has commenced ICT trainings and Community Journalism at the Ng’arua Maarifa centre. ‘‘I had not touched a computer before, but the lessons are presented well by the teacher’’, said Risper adding that she understood the introduction to computer and hoped the preceding topics would be good.

The young lady is aspiring to pursue accounting as a career, because she liked mathematics and business education in school. ''I want to acquire the skills so that I can access and store my personal and professional data in future” she said.  Risper observed that fewer women than men could use computers in the locality, and according to her the reason is that most women lacked computer skill.  

 ‘‘I want to learn Community Journalism so that I can report issues happening within my home area’’ Said Risper, who is bothered by human-wildlife conflict where elephants frequently invade their farms.  Risper likes reading novels, newspapers and playing volleyball. 

 Samuel Njoroge 20, who hails from Mithuri in Olmoran Division, is also awaiting his KCSE results due in the next two months. Meanwhile, he has heard a lot of stories about Ngarua Maarifa Centre and its services like free access to information, book library, Internet and free ICT trainings. One day he came to the Maarifa Centre to inquire and that is when he got a chance to commence the training.

 ‘‘I want to start and run a business in future and I hope the computer skills will enable me to keep and manage my data’’,he said. Samuel heard about Community Journalism training for the first time during the orientation and developed a lot of interest.  He also enrolled for the lessons that will run concurrently with ICT lessons. His expectation is to acquire skills in both fields in order to enable him create employment for himself and help people in the process. ‘‘I want to use my reporting skills to voice up community issues like land disputes, insecurity, poor infrastructure among others’’, said Samuel. 

Like many others who have commenced the trainings, Samuel is very grateful for ALIN for according him the learning opportunity.  ALIN is implementing the free ICT training courtesy of a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Community Journalism and market access programs are made possible with the support of the Ford Foundation.