Tana River youth are a happy lot after the arrival of a truck dubbed Digitruck that will offer digital skills.
The truck fitted with solar was built by Huawei, a Belgian based NGO Close the Gap, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), GSMA, Computers for Schools Kenya (CFSK) and Safaricom is a shipping container changed into a classroom with the objective of expanding digital literacy.
Many youths could not hold their joy, or their eagerness to be computer literate as desire to enroll in a computer college had been a pipe dream for many youths in the county.
“My dream to learn computer skills has come true. The knowledge that I will get will enable me to be proficient in computers and the internet thus I will be able to apply for online jobs and earn,” an elated Asha Jillo said.
The truck is equipped with 20 laptops, 20 Virtual Realities (VR) headsets, and has inbuilt Wi-Fi. The 100 youth will be trained for two weeks in groups of 20 for two hours daily.
Speaking during the launch of the 14-day training targeting 100 youth, County Executive Member for Education and Youth Affairs Abbass Kunyo urged the youth to take seriously the training that would be offered by the Huawei team.
The CECM also divulged that they have elevated and renamed the Hola Vocational Training College to Tana River Center for Innovation and Youth Empowerment.
“The center will be the second in the country after the one in Isiolo County. The center will nurture talents. We have an elaborate plan for our youth,” said Kunyo.
Salim Kalime, a youth leader, took a swipe at the youth who didn’t turn up for the training saying they were locking out other deserving youth.
“We have been lamenting for long that we are not given opportunities. I am astonished that some youth who had registered haven’t turned up for the training. It is our responsibility to take up these opportunities. Let us stop whining, let’s be serious,’’ said Kalime.
County Secretary Joshua Jara directed the CECM for education to replace youth who have not turned up for the training.
“The government has embarked on e-procurement; you’ll be the conduit between businessmen applying for tenders who will be seeking your services,” Jara advised the youth.
By Sadik Hassan
