Transformative Coding Boot Camp in Rural Kenya
Asante Africa Foundation, in partnership with the nonprofit CS4ALL, hosted a transformative Coding Boot Camp for young people in rural Samburu, Kenya. This innovative initiative aimed to bridge the digital divide, connecting rural Kenyan youth with their urban American counterparts, and opening doors to new technological and collaborative opportunities.
Bootcamp Overview
The bootcamp was a dynamic youth-to-youth initiative designed to empower rural youth by equipping them with essential digital and computer science skills. It is part of Asante Africa’s broader Accelerated Learning Program, which focuses on integrating digital literacy into the education system. The bootcamp was held at Asante Africa’s headquarters in Maralal and involved apprentices who have completed their Form Four education and are navigating the next steps in their lives. These young participants also had the opportunity to mentor junior secondary students, who are the first cohort of Kenya’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which includes computer science as a core component.
Skill Development and Learning Outcomes
Participants were engaged in various challenges and project competitions, which not only advanced their skills and confidence but also strengthened their mathematical abilities through digital games. The bootcamp covered a range of computer science topics, including foundational computer science, the societal impact of computers, computer networks, critical thinking, computational thinking, problem-solving, creativity, innovation, and communication.
One of the highlights of the bootcamp was the use of Scratch programming, where students created their own projects. This hands-on approach not only enhances their understanding of coding but also fosters problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The students’ enthusiasm for learning these skills was palpable, and the hope is that they will return to their schools and share their newfound knowledge with peers and teachers, further spreading the benefits of digital literacy.
Impact on Participants
The personal testimonies of the children involved highlight the profound impact of the bootcamp on their lives:
Hope, a 12-year-old student from Maralal DEB Primary School, shared that the bootcamp significantly enhanced her understanding of computers. “There was a lot of stuff I didn’t understand. The CS4ALL team has taught me, and I can go and teach my classmates as I now understand,” she said. Hope expressed excitement about using Scratch to create games and is eager to apply her new knowledge to help others.
Sarah, a 13-year-old from Loosuk Junior School, discovered how the cartoons she watches on television are created using computer animations. She said, “I now know how they are made to move either direction or different actions.” Sarah is motivated to teach others what she has learned, emphasizing that understanding how cartoons work can be both educational and a potential career path.
Victor, a 14-year-old from Loikas Primary School, was initially unfamiliar with computers due to a lack of resources at his school. The bootcamp introduced him to Scratch programming, where he learned to create conversations between characters, or “sprites.” Victor is now passionate about sharing his new skills with others, believing that “computers can help you make stories” and assist with academic challenges like math.
The Role of CS4ALL
CS4ALL, founded in 2020, is an organization that bridges the gap in computer literacy by teaching often-overlooked aspects of computer science. The organization runs computer science clubs in elementary schools in the Bay Area and partners with parent-teacher organizations to reach a broader audience. With a mission to empower the next generation, CS4ALL has taught approximately 250 elementary school students the fundamentals of computer science and aims to impact 500 students in the near future.
For this bootcamp in Kenya, CS4ALL provided the curriculum and trainers, and worked alongside Asante Africa to ensure the successful delivery of the program. The bootcamp ran over 10 days, with daily sessions covering the fundamentals of computer science and Scratch programming. A competition was held at the end of the bootcamp, where students presented their Scratch projects to a panel of judges, culminating in an award ceremony for the top projects.
Impact and Vision
The bootcamp is a key step in closing the digital divide for rural adolescents and youth in Kenya. By providing access to digital literacy and computer science education, Asante Africa and CS4ALL are not only helping to fulfill the Kenyan government’s National ICT policy but also empowering young people to become catalysts for positive change in their communities.
The long-term vision of this initiative includes the establishment of an annual in-person bootcamp led by CS4ALL, with options to expand the curriculum, schools, and cities involved. Additionally, there will be year-round virtual support for local teachers and 2-3 local events per year, ensuring the sustainability and growth of digital literacy programs in rural Kenya.
