ICT Training benefits poultry man

By Sheila Ngigi

When John Kaboro, a poultry man with Kenchic Limited heard of the free ICT training at the Maarifa center, he doubted, because the offer sounded too good to be true. “I wondered whether this was accurate or just a hoax, because not many things come for free nowadays. That is when I decided to pay the center a visit and confirmed that it was all true,” says John. He immediately registered for the April intake and began classes immediately he was called to begin.

John Kaboro keenly follows a lesson

John was taken through Introduction, Word, excel, PowerPoint and Internet and since getting these skills, life has not been the same again, as he puts it in his own words. As a poultry man at Kenchic Ltd, his job entails caring for chicken, data entry and a lot of filing. “Before I learnt how to use computers, I used to fill in the day’s entries manually into the file and the manager had to transfer them again into the office computer which was time wasting and tiring. However, now I even assist the manager in filling in other employees’ entries into the computer” John says proudly.

Kaboro opens a gmail account

John says he can now write reports to his supervisor comfortably as well as his own notes that he compiles from the internet with no assistance. I am now put in-charge of the office when my boss is away and this has given me prospects of a promotion. Excel is especially important for making the entries, and Kaboro took initiative to come back for extra tuition feeling that he needed to understand more in the package.

And Mr. Kaboro has only praises for the proramme, “I am so glad that I got this chance at the Maarifa center. I hope to save up and buy a laptop so that I can start my own poultry business. This way I can keep my records and run my business in a systematic manner,” he adds. He also hopes to pursue a business management course online, which will assist him in his business.

ONLINE REVISION OF UNIVERSITY COURSES AT MAARIFA CENTER

BY SHARON KUNAI

Emily Muthoni was overjoyed when she got a chance to learn computer skills at Isinya Maarifa center. It was a dream come true, as she had always had the desire to know how to operate the machines but her parents had no means of taking her to college like some of her colleagues. So the Maarifa center free ICT training was like music to her ears and she savored the opportunity. 

She was delighted to learn that she had qualified for admission to a public university after scoring a B in her KCSE. And when the Joint Admission Board announced that revision of courses was only online, this was a welcome move. After all she had the skills and there was a free internet service at the Maarifa center.

The Story is the same for Ann Wambui and Stephen Mokoro. The Isinya Maarifa center has been a bee-hive of activities in the previous two weeks as candidates of 2012, KCSE have been making efforts to revise their courses.

Talking to Ann Wambui who came all the way from Kitengela for the exercise, I sought to find what she thought of the experience. “It’s the first time I am using the Maarifa center as I recently heard about it from a friend.” She said, “I consider myself lucky because in the other years, the ex candidates had to travel far in order to revise their degree choices.” She added.

Stephen Mokoro, who was a frequent at the Isinya 

Maarifa center during the revision exercise, said that was quite pleased with the services offered but noted that the internet services was slow due to traffic in the Joint Admission Board site and this slowed down the process. He also added that there were times the JAB site was sometimes not available and he had to postpone his revision. Despite these shortcomings, he was able to revise his degree courses and he hopes that he will be able to go to The University of Nairobi to study Medicine.

The revision process came to an end on the 31^st of May and as usual with Kenyans doing things on the last minute, the Maarifa center was packed from as early as 8.00 am with many ex candidates finalizing on the revision.

Madaraka Day Festivities in Isinya

BY Sheila Ngigi

The 1st of June saw a large crowd of Isinya residents gather at Isinya Primary school as they had always done, only this time it was different, it was their first in this new constitutional dispensation and devolution. In attendance were various dignitaries notably the Deputy County Commissioner and his assistants, down to area chiefs. 

Residents following Madaraka day proceedings keenly

Men, women and children arrived at the school's playground early, braving the early morning cold which before long  gave way to the scorching sun.

And we were not disappointed; beats of police tunes lent the morning air entertaining the crowd that had hitherto milled around ready to listen to their leaders.Pupils of Topride academy were also not left behind as they amused the guests with a choral verse asking for unity in the country. Pupils of Isinya primary school who were clad in multicoloured Maasai attire thrilled the multitude with cultural Maasai melodies that left all and sundry moving their heads to the tune.

Pupils of Isinya Primary Entertain guests

                     
Mr. Ekai, the assistant County Commissioner and emcee of the day, called speakers to the podium one by one. One after the other, they exhorted one another to embrace devolution and work together with their leaders to foster development. Other speakers candidly in expressed their misgivings regarding some issues in the district. Key among them were insecurity and water shortages that have become frequent in the district.

The bodaboda riders, who are usually the youth, were accused of operating without licenses besides lacking requisite qualifications thus causing many accidents and injuring many residents. Moreover, residents complained of lack of water which compromised the levels of health and hygiene in the district. Many women protested that they had to spend long hours queuing for water.

The climax of the ceremony was the reading of the president's speech by the Deputy County Commissioner. Mr.Hassan Bule, stepped on the podium dressed in his neat commissioner's uniform. The speech, read in Kiswahili celebrated 50 years of self rule urging residents to "be dedicated to  partriotism, selflessness and diligence and renew their commitment to build a freer, richer, stronger and fairer Kenya than we inherited."

Isinya, Deputy County commissioner Mr. Hassan Bule delivering the president's speech

Among all these, Vision 2030 did not escape the President who prayed the residents to see it through to reality by embracing ICTs and all it has to offer. Supporting the implementation of free laptops for school children was one of the ways of doing so.

In his own words, Mr.Bule implored the people to desist from ethnicity which is an impetus to underdevelopment and useless conflicts. He further promised action against water companies that failed to provide water services to residents giving them an ultimatum of one week. He also commanded the police department to tighten on their security measures and put stringent measures on bar owners who operated against the law as these bars were breeding ground for criminals.

 The ceremony came to a close with residents hopeful that we would together make Kenya a better nation.

ICT training & Library services Testimonies

If there was any doubt that Isinya Maarifa Center is changing the lives of those living in Isinya and its environs then the following short testimonies will clear such doubts.
These testimonies have convinced, at least me, that with a little effort even the impossible is possible. Through these services, previously voiceless persons are being heard, preconceptions challenged and opportunities opened.

                                                  Testimonies

52 beneficiaries of ICT training secured jobs with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as voter registration, polling clerks and Deputy Presiding Officers.

Richard Ndemo, 35 years old, extension officer, secured a better job with a Nairobi and Naivasha based farm. A frequent user of the Maarifa, Ndemo succeeded in getting a the job after reading and applying for the job on-line at the Maarifa Center where all services are free including internet access.

Jeremiah Ateti, 57 and entire Isinya District Peace Committee:

As Chairman of the peace committee, Mr. Ateti with ICT skills is now able to carry out all his duties successfully. He has even opened a facebook page for the Isinya District Peace Committee. The page engaged residents especially the youth during the campaign and election period in calls and activities aimed at promoting peace. It has been a great success with Isinya being as calm and quiet as always before, during and after the elections period.

Njeri Karanja, 22, Egerton University:

After getting ICT training at the center last year, she was able to apply for a HELB   loan for her University education without any assistance  after she enrolled. 

 Julius Ntayia and Moses Leir, 56 & 33 respectively:

These two politicians got ICT training at the center. They were thus able to write emails, create social accounts to engage with their supporters during the just concluded elections.

Patricia Mutuku, 47, of Daystar University and a teacher at Kepiro primary school:

She used the Maarifa Library as she researched for her Thesis for her Masters in Communication. Moreover, The Maarifa Center was one of her case studies. She documented students during ICT training sessions and Maarifa users.

 Samuel Kasaine, 26, of Jommo Kenyatta University:

Samuel used the Library to research for his project during his diploma. Moreover, he typed the entire paper using the computers at the center as the costs of typesetting were beyond his means. This enabled him succeed and proceed for a degree at JKUAT.

Moses Leseiyo, 28, Compassion, Local NGO:

Moses uses the Maarifa Center’s accounting books to study for his CPA’s. “The books have contributed to my success in the exams besides expanding my knowledge in financial management and accounting matters thus improving my service delivery,” says Moses.

Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Officials:

Mr. Benson Mwangi, Mr. Erick Ahenda and Mr. John Thiong’o have benefited from the many agricultural books at the Maarifa center. Mr. Mwangi even got a scholarship to China to study about Mushrooms after his curiosity in the plant increased after reading “Small-scale Mushroom cultivation”.

Ms. Lois Gakuru is now able to type reports and send them to her superior through her email.

 Immanuel Kivinda, 20, University of Eldoret:

“As a student of BSc. Horticulture, I have benefited tremendously from some of the books here. My understanding of the course work has increased and consequently my performance improved,” Kivinda says.

Kivinda, who also learnt ICT at the Maarifa is also subscribed to Baobab, a quarterly  magazine by ALIN, dealing with farming and environmental matters. He says the magazine and the books have expanded his knowledge.

And such is the place of the Maarifa center!


By Sheila Ngigi

Going Digital, young lady's winning Tweet

When Sharon Kunai posted a simple tweet, she had no idea that it would appear on Newspaper. This was on the Standard Newspaper on Monday, 22^nd April 2013 on page 6 of the pullout section, Crazy Monday’s Face off on Twitter.

WinningTweet by Sharon Kunai

With the cliché about Kenya going digital, this is now a reality with Isinya Maarifa is in the middle of it, providing ICT services and skills to users.

A frequent user of the Maarifa Center, Sharon has learnt her ICT skills at Isinya Maarifa center. Together with her sister Karen Sanayek and brother Tom, the trio says that the Maarifa center has had a real influence in their lives.

"All of us went through the computer classes at the Maarifa and we are very happy we got the chance”, says Sharon, who is waiting to join college after scoring a B stand garde in KCSE. Previously, I knew nothing about computers and did not take it as an option in high school for fear of failing. However, now I am confident and contemplating doing an IT-related course in College". 

At the Maarifa Center, Sharon was able to open Facebook, Twitter, Gmail and Yahoo and Flickr accounts through the skills and services offered here. She always follows the the various trends on Social Media which keeps her updated.

Sharon using Maarifa center

Her tweet appearing on the Standard has not only caused a stir amongst her peers but has also revealed the talent and abilities of the youth in Isinya who only need to tap into the resources availed to them. Lately, the Maarifa Center has been a bee-hive of activities with the number of girls and ladies using rising significantly.

Ladies accessing internet at Maarifa center

Sharon’s story is one of hope and the possibilities brought about by social media And ICT in general. For her, this is only the beginning of many more to come! For us, it is a success story!


By Sheila Ngigi

KEYHOLE GARDENING

By Sheila Ngigi

FARMERS LEARN NEW FARMING TECHNIQUE 

With the onset of the rains, Women of Nasaru Ntoyie Womens Group are counting their blessings after they learnt yet another form of kitchen gardening, besides the multistory. The keyhole garden is a small raised garden that is either circular or semicircular just like a keyhole, literally.
The Keyhole Garden concept is brilliantly easy. A raised bed, usually circular which has a center compost “basket” that distributes nutrients to the surrounding area of the garden. A small pie-slice section of the bed is usually left for easy access to the basket forming the keyhole design.

Kitchen and garden waste, along with household water are added to the center basket. The center basket is continually filled with ash which neutralizes soapy unclean water. The garden ideally, is slightly sloped away from the center to aid water flow and distribution. The garden is usually layered with decomposing material e.g bones. As the materials decompose, soil, composting materials, and amendments are added to the bed in later growing seasons.

The keyhole garden has a lifetime of about 5 years before it is remodeled and decomposing materials added to the soil.

One major advantage of the keyhole garden is the ease of access by the handicapped, especially in a wheel chair. Because of it being raised, one using it does not have to bend so low, to water, weed, tend or harvest.

Other benefits of the keyhole garden include:

Keyhole Garden Benefits

• Center compost basket provides a steady supply of plant nutrients and amendments
• Uses less water with mulching and moisture from center basket making it drought-tolerant
• Garden can be modified according to owner's needs, like handicap accessibility
• The short distance from outer wall to center basket makes it easy to tend
• The keyhole garden requires a small area, a maximum of 2 meters diameter
• Recycled material use makes the gardens inexpensive to build
• The raised design removes threat of trampling by pets, humans and livestock
• Keyhole Gardens can last long enough before one can build another one, as long as 5 years
• Keyhole Gardens can be an attractive feature with a good aesthetic design plan, beautifying ones home, school or place of work compound.
• Lots of water is saved as waste water from the kitchen and other uses can be neutralized using ash in the center basket and used for the plants.

For Nasaru Ntoyie, this was a chance to learn and make their lives better, hence they left nothing to chance.

Steps to follow in preparing a keyhole garden:

First mark out the shape and size of your garden  as you desire

surround the area with stones leaving space in the middle for the centre basket

Spread bones and other decomposable materials on the soil to add nutrients

Add small stones to help in percolation of water

The center basket is then filled with dry grass and sprinkled with  ashes

the garden is then filled with soil

Spread dry grass and ashes all over the garden

Add more soil to cover the grass

Sprinkle water and then plant your vegetables

Final result