Ngarua Maarifa center stands out in Sipili township as the only place you pop in and access the internet, read books, attend ICT training's and other information services free of charge. The question lingering in the minds of many people is how it all happens! ICT training has been received quite enthusiastically by the trainees, both young, and old, men, and women, boys and girls alike. The number of people seeking for vacancies are increasing on daily basis, as words of our services spreads far and wide. Successful graduates have continually acted as our goodwill ambassadors.
I.C.T Compliance.
Civil servants were also not left out of this important opportunity, as the saying goes ''opportunities seldom knock twice''. Importantly, the assistant chief for sipili sub-location Mr. John Kimaiyo, is leading other civil servants in acquiring knowledge of this 'twenty first century phenomenon'. Two forest guards working with the Larik forest and three primary school teachers are also among the 40 trainees who will be completing their computer packages in August.
Nguraman’s Story
One day i read an e-mail from steve FO Nguruman about a chief who is ICT compliant at His Maarifa center. Steve had reported that the chief, who is a frequent visitor of the Maarifa center had recently bought a lap top and he was even generous enough to share it with other community members coming to the center. The story, was an eye opener because i immediately reflected on the case of Ngarua, I replied to steve's mail as well as copying it to all staffs, the following day, it prompted Susan to write to me asking if i could do the story for publication in the Alin news letter, The ALIN Insider.
Securing an interview.
On a friday evening, just after the lessons, i called the three officers, namely John Kimaiyo, the assistant chief, Joseph Mureithi and Mugwe Kamau the two forest officers, i shared with them my intention for an interview, on how they have benefitted from the services and what they actually found as an interesting thing about ICT at the Maarifa Center. We have been friends and i have developed good rapport with them from the time they started, we had organized an induction session to make them aware of the centre objectives, activities and the purpose of free trainings, it was easy getting them talk. The induction gave us an opportunity to doing introduction of Arid lands information network(ALIN), and LACKIN, who are behind the centre management, which gave them confidence that we deal with info sharing, and in good faith.
Impact of ICT trainings
Our talks kicked off with a friendly chat and as the story unfolded i discovered in-depth reasons that led to their sacrifice, i learned how our training deeply empower people more than we could have imagined. ''Being in our place of work without ICT knowledge is a threat!, Said Mugwe Kamau. When i turned to his colleague Mr. Joseph Muriithi, he posed ''I have a burning desire to become computer literate''. The two officers admitted that computer knowledge is key to opening information avenues, ''I want to search and process my information on my own'' Said Mr. Mugwe Kamau, adding that, free internet service at the Maarifa center may not benefit him unless he learns how to operate the computers. Mr. Kamau intends to conduct research on environmental issues, with a lot of reference to the internet. He also wants to save and manage his document in an organized manner. Both wanted to enhance confidentiality of their personal information in a computer because nobody will accesses it unless with their authority.
Learning computer will improve on the officer's report writing ability and styles, efficiency, speed and performance. This will not only enhance their self esteem but also opening avenues for promotion. They have heard about e-marketing and they need more computer knowledge for them to access more information on how to purchase goods from other countries using the internet. Mugwe Kamau wants to learn computer so that he can introduce his children to computers at an early age.
The assistant chief.
If i said that the government and the community of sipili are represented at Maarifa center i will be right. The area assistant chief from sipili sub-location Mr. John Kimaiyo, do not want to remain behind as his subjects becomes ICT compliant. ''Immediately the Maarifa center announced for free ICT training's, I was the first one to apply'' Said the jubilant assistant Chief. He first heard of our activities when the Maarifa was being hosted at Lariak secondary school, where he was and is still a parent, his heart bounds effortlessly whenever he saw the activities and services offered to student and to the community.
Why did you choose to learn computer.
''My foresight nature compelled me to explore better options for expanding opportunities'', Said Kimaiyo, in a tactful mien. He told me how he had approached a donor and was given some grant and he donated more computers to Lariak and another primary school, within his sub-location. He then saw the necessity of learning computer and the need to start now. ''Many things are increasingly getting computerized, that means the future is, I.C.T'' Said Kimaiyo. He predicts that in the near future, a computers that serves the same purpose as Television and Radio will be developed, thus phasing out the latter.
''In the near future, civil servant will be required to be whole rounder, they will be expected to do many things on their own, drive themselves around, work without a secretary etc. The chiefs office may be computerized soon owing to expansion of rural electrification, and the allocation of funds for buying computers at constituency level, and that is why i wanted to be ahead of things'', he said.
Kimaiyo is particularly driven by what he calls, ''shame'', the idea of giving out your e-mail address and password to cyber cafe operators because you don't know how to use a computer yourself.
Manual work.
Kimaiyo admits that it has been hectic writing reports and invitation letters by hand! he now wants to advance by using a computer and do it himself. He intends to manage his farm and personal records like planting, harvesting and animal management using the computer.
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He appreciates very much that the maarifa center is located in his area of jurisdiction, his happiness even abounds whenever he sees people advance to modern technology, he foresees a situation when people are empowered and will be busy with constructive activities thus minimizing cases of insecurity and petty crimes. ''The people of Sipili will go high tech and use the internet to advertise their goods to get higher bargaining power'' Kimaiyo said.
Conclusion.
The officers have never seen any such project whenever they have worked. They expressed sincere gratitude to ALIN. They recommended for expansion of classes to accommodate more people. They also appreciated the fact that people of all ages can study computer at the centre.
Bett Kipsang is a Alin's Field Officer based at Ngarua Maarifa Center.
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