Introduction.
Ngarua Community Knowledge Center (C.K.C) is located at sipili trading center, Ngarua Division of Laikipia west District. The center offers computer trainings, and various information to communities free of charge. The need to offer such trainings stemmed from the vision of ''connecting communities with knowledge'', through ICTs.
Training empowers people to access information and hence facilitate free flow of information to communities through the ICT tools available at the CKC. There is no doubt that, information sharing through ICT equipment is the strength of our network. A lot of information are disseminated through the internet, CD-Roms, Emails, books and other multy-media channels.
That communities must be empowered with ICT skills is therefore crucial, so that they can research and process information with little need for assistance.
Demand for training.
We have now observed a risen demand for computer training from members of the community. Great enthusiasm is shared across a wider prism of age and gender. Criteria for selection of trainees is open and fair for all. We enroll students on first come first serve basis, where admission is also free from bias or any kind of discrimination.
Our endeavor to reach a diversified group of people, have led us to device means of sellecting trainees that ensure fairness and effectiveness in trying to accommodate everybody, since our training's are open to everyone irrispective of their; gender, age, Ethicity, physical dissability, social class, location, group or religious affiliation, etc.
Considering that our facilities enable us to train only 42 students, attending three sessions of 14 per day.
Each session goes for two hours, and once enrolled, one lot continues untill they finish all the 9 packages plus typing skills to make 10 packages, arrangement are being made to award a certificate upon succesful completion of the trainings.
The duration of training is three months for beginners, but can change depending on individual's entery level.
Induction
On the second and third week of May 2010, the management committee started inductions for the newly recruited trainees. The one day induction seminar is used for trainees to be taken through the background knowledge of the center, for them to understand ALINs objectives, program's activities, and networking initiatives.
Other aims of doing this is to instill a sense of responsibility and ownership of the center by the community. They were encouraged to participate in the centers information sharing activities and networking.
Since they represent fast and diverse locations they will be resourceful in information dissemination and identification of unique features for documentation.
For training purposes trainees were asked to assist by contributing articles, say, one articles each per month, this will translate to 42 articles. Which are then researched, refined and shared through the OKN, blogs, Baobab journal or KEA, JotoAfrica among other channels.
We also intend to introduce the trainees to photography to enhance their documentation skills, whereby they learn from us and share the knowledge with others.
To make sure that we accommodate peoples preferences we encouraged them to apply for trainings stating their full names, age, location, preferred time of study, special needs, etc. the information was provided by filling a form. They were also encourage to say what other information they would like to access so that we identify resource persons who can come and provide such information.
In the long run, we endeavor to build good rapport and relationship between our trainees and the center so that they join the network and advance our initiatives of knowledge sharing. It's our hope that by so doing we will create a network of good ambassadors who will access, implement and pass information far and wider.
Feedback from trainees.
After understanding our objectives and activities, they shared with us some important information that would not have come out. We learnt from the area assistant chief that, many people come to the center and read an advertisement posted on the notice board calling for people to apply as clerks by the Independent Interim Electoral Commission. (IIEC). The assistant chief also hailed the quality of work being delivered at the center. He also reported of a meeting he attended at the district headquarters where the area MP, praised the Ngarua focal group and the people of sipili for the creativity and great innovations which are hardly seen in other places.
Swahili Proverb ''Heri kufa macho kuliko kufa moyo''
By
Bett Kipsang
ALIN Field Officer
Ngarua CKC.
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