Bill Gates helps in accessing free ICT training

By Bob Aston

Ngarua Maarifa Centre is proud of its achievements since FREE Computer Training was introduced at the Maarifa Centre. The training was conducted through the aid of The Bill & Melinda gates foundation. The center still continues to offer Free Computer Training to the residents of Laikipia County. Here are some few testimonies from some of the trainees who benefited from the progra.

Name: Rahab Njaramba

Occupation: Teacher-91 Municipality Primary School

Contacts: 0728879796

Age: 35 Years

ICT training in progress in Ngarua Maarifa Centre

Rahab got a job with the IEBC as a Deputy Constituency Returning Officer for Laikipia West Constituency during the General Election. One of the Requirements for the post was for one to be Computer Literate. Having been Trained at the then Maarifa Business Solutions she was able to prove that she is Computer Literate and was subsequently hired.Rahab is also a Teacher at Municipality Primary School in Nyahururu.She uses the knowledge she gained from the Training to perform routine tasks like lesson plan development, information Presentation, Writing Memos, Writing both official and Formal letters, as well as searching for information through the internet. She has also started using Microsoft Word to write schemes of service. She said that she was initially planning to take Computer classes in one of the local colleges but when she heard about the Centre she decided to inquire about the training. She was impressed with the reception and thus she decided to join. She used Microsoft Excel to calculate pupil’s marks and to present their performance using a chart during first term.

Name: Kanyi Joseph

Occupation: Computer Teacher-Lariak Primary School

Contacts: 0735889386

Age: 23 Years

Kanyi cleared Training at the Maarifa Centre then started working as a Community Knowledge Facilitator (CKF) at the Maarifa Centre. He was always hardworking and volunteered to serve the community diligently.

“The Maarifa Centre provided me the opportunity to learn a lot and also gave me the necessary skills and experience which I am currently applying in my new work place. I am glad that I worked as a CKF at the Maarifa Centre.” Says Kanyi

Early April of this year he saw an advertisement for the post of Computer Teacher at Lariak Primary School and promptly applied for the post. He was not deterred by the high number of applicants and was confident that he would be selected. After a vigorous interview process which culminated in a practical computer exam he was finally picked as the best candidate. He has been charged with coming up with a Computer curriculum for the school as well handling computer classes.”The computer training that I received at the Maarifa Centre really helped me. I can now transfer the knowledge and skills that I gained to my students.”He said

Name: Trizah Kamau

Occupation: Administrative Secretary-Glafa Agency

Contacts: 0731415378

Age: 22 Years

Trizah works in an Agency where they initially did everything manually. After she completed Computer Training her boss decided to buy a computer in order for her to use for administrative purposes. She is now applying her Computer knowledge when drafting agreements for the Clients, writing official letters, letting contracts and notices for vacations. She has also started using Microsoft Excel for calculating tenant’s payments and preparing statements for the landlord.

Name: Ebenezer Matere

Occupation: Cyber Attendant-Viona Agencies

Contacts: 0788725988

Age: 20 years

Ebenezer applied for Cyber Attendant post at Viona Agencies after clearing training. He did not have a Computer Certificate at the time but after convincing the interviewer that he is computer literate and even asking for a practical test which he was given, he emerged the best among those who were interviewed and was subsequently employed as a Cyber Attendant.

Ebenezer is currently utilizing his computer knowledge in helping their cyber clients. He uses the Microsoft Word knowledge which he gained to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing research articles and documents. He uses the internet knowledge to assist clients open new E-mail addresses, helping clients fill online HELB forms, filling KRA online services and performing other internet services.

“Without the computer training I would not have managed to get this job. I am glad that Arid Lands Information Network decided to conduct training in Nyahururu town and that I was among the first beneficiaries,” says Ebenezer.

Name: Mary Wang'ondu

Occupation: Cyber Attendant-Frama Printers

Contacts: 0718380880

Age: 20 years

Mary got a job as a Cyber Attendant at Frama Printers before even completing Computer Training. She applied for the Job while still undergoing training. She was invited for an Interview and passed. Her new employer allowed her to continue with the training then reporting to work immediately after class.

She is currently utilizing the skills she acquired from the training to assist the cyber customers. She uses the Microsoft Word knowledge which she gained to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing research articles and documents. She uses the internet knowledge to assist clients open new E-mail addresses, helping clients fill online HELB forms, filling KRA online services, opening and updating GHRIS accounts for government employees and performing other internet services.

Name: Joyce Wanjiru

Occupation: Sales Person/Computer Operator-Smartek Bookshop

Contacts: 0706397863

Age: 19 years

Joyce used to work as a Sales Person at Smartek Bookshop. Once she cleared computer training her employer added a computer in the bookshop and she was given more responsibilities with better renumeration.She is now both a sales person and also a computer operator.

She is currently utilizing the skills she acquired from the training to offer various computer services. She uses the Microsoft Word knowledge which she gained to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing notices, typing research articles and documents.

Name: Francis Ngugi

Occupation: Volunteer-International Bible Students Association (I.B.S.A)

Contacts: 0729978506

Age: 25 Years

Francis doing online research

Francis started working as volunteer at I.B.S.A upon completing computer training. He has an account with I.B.S.A where he regularly performs various functions for I.B.S.A like data entry and drafting Letters. He normally performs the data entry using Microsoft Excel.

“The Training that I received at the Maarifa Centre enabled me to be computer literate and subsequently provided me the opportunity to work as a volunteer for I.B.S.A” says Francis, “I am glad that ALIN provided the opportunity for us to attend Free Computer Training,” concludes Francis.

Name: Charles Kiamah

Occupation: Cyber Assistant-SkyClick Cyber

Contacts: 0717116254

Age: 19 Years

Charles is currently working as a Cyber Assistant at Skyclick in Wangige-Kiambu County. He is currently utilizing his computer knowledge in helping their cyber clients. He uses the Microsoft Word knowledge which he gained to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing research articles and documents. He uses the internet knowledge to assist Clients open new E-mail addresses, helping clients fill online HELB forms, filling KRA online services and performing other internet services.

“God bless ALIN.The training enabled me to get a job, I am glad that I decided to join the training.” Says Charles.

Name: Daniel Mwangi

Occupation: Student Nairobi Aviation

Contacts: 0710966350

Age: 22 Years

The Computer Training at the Maarifa Centre made Daniel to decide to Specialize in an ICT Course. He is currently pursuing a Diploma course in ICT at Nairobi Aviation College.”I would like to be an ICT expert with Technical skills in Computer Field like Computer Analyst” Says Daniel.”I thank ALIN for the Free ICT Training and for enabling the Youths gain Computer Knowledge.”

Name: Maryann Mwarangu

Occupation: Administrative Secretary-Click Agencies

Contacts: 0715522825

Age: 21 Years

Maryann applied for the post of Administrative Secretary at Click Agencies after clearing training. One of the requirements for the advertised post was for one to be computer literate.”I knew that I met all the qualifications for the post so I decided to apply. I was invited to attend the interview. We underwent a vigorous interview process which concluded with a practical computer assignment. I emerged the best overall and was subsequently employed. I thank ALIN for the opportunity which they gave us.” Says Maryann

Maryann regularly uses Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Internet and E-mail at her work place. She normally draft and type, word process, format, edit, revise, and process a variety of documents and forms including reports, correspondence, memoranda, agenda items and reports, agreements, and ordinances. She mostly draft process mail including receiving, sorting, time-stamping, logging, and distributing incoming and outgoing correspondence and packages.