By Sheila Ngigi
Rose Seuseu is a mother, a wife, a business lady, a
church official and above all a Maasai woman. Adorned in full Maasai attire,
Seuseu’s joy could not be concealed as she received her certificate from the area
District Officer, Mr. Jonathan Ekai. This was no mean feat as she had beaten
all odds to start and successfully complete her computer classes at the Maarifa
Center.
 |
| Rose Seuseu receiving her certificate |
It was pomp,
colour and glory on Friday,22nd of March, at the Isinya Maarifa
Center as current students, Graduands and the Isinya Community at large gathered
to celebrate the completion of ICT training and receive their well deserved
certificates. Over 100 students, clad in bright multicolored attire gathered
together with family members and friends to celebrate their achievement.
 |
| Graduands show off their certificates |
Tucked in the heart of Maasai Land, along the
Nairobi- Namanga highway, the Isinya Maarifa Center is one of 7 Maarifa centers
( Nguruman, Kyuso, Mutomo, Marigat, Ndhiwa and Ng’arua) in Kenya set up by Arid
Lands Information Network, (ALIN). Other centers are situated in Northern
Uganda and in Tanzania. A Maarifa centre, (knowledge center) is a shipping container that is fabricated to form
a room where communities access information resources. Visit ALIN at www.alin.or.ke for more information.
The centre is equipped with computers and internet
access together with numerous publications, newsletters, research reports and
electronically stored information that includes CD ROMs, audiovisual material
and compendiums. It is operated by a field officer with assistance from an advisory
committee drawn from a focal group which oversees the Maarifa center
operations in collaboration with the field officer.
Besides offering free basic ICT training for local
communities, irrespective of age or gender, free internet access and provision
of resource materials, ALIN through Maarifa centers also offers advisory
services on issues relating to Climate change and farming often with assistance
from partners e.g government agencies and related ministries and other
non-governmental organizations. Isinya Maarifa Center has a blog post where
activities and projects undertaken are shared with the public. Visit www.isinyamaarifa.blogpost.com to read more.
 |
| A Maasai Moran receive his certificate |
This was the 2nd graduation since the
programme was started in January 16th 2012 and over 300 students
have completed their training and received certificates. In an area where
resources are scarce, for many, such a chance would have only been a dream. But
now, thanks to ALIN and other partners, these dreams have been coming true! Many
leave their homes, never mind the distance, to receive ICT training at the
Maarifa center.
 |
| D.O hands Ms. Naserian, a student, her certificate |
In attendance was the area D.O, Chief, official
from the ministry of Livestock Mr. Erick Ahenda, Representative of ALIN Ms.
Esther Lung’ahi, Advisory Committee student and community members. From the
praises bestowed on the center, it was crystal clear that the Isinya Community
did not take this center lightly but knew so well that it was playing a big
role in improving their lives.
The various speakers echoed this, including the D.O
who highlighted that the project was in line with the government’s Vision 2030.
“Unless we go digital with the rest of the country then we shall lag behind and
will have no place in our own country, so I urge us to appreciate and take
advantage of such initiatives from organizations like ALIN and put up strategies and plans of how to ensure
their sustainability even after they leave”, Mr, Ekai urged.
 |
| Mr. Mokope, area Chief |
His sentiments were echoed by the area Chief who
insisted that everyone in his location must give their children a chance to go
to school especially girls, who are often sidelined in matters education due to
the backward culture of some members of the community. “ To get these kind of
skills that we are getting for free, is very expensive elsewhere, so please
take advantage of this opportunity”, he added.
Ms. Esther Lung’ahi of ALIN assured the community
that they would continue to support the project and urged them to exhaustively
make use of the resources at the Maarifa Center. She noted with interest the
beautiful beadwork and traditional clothings that the women created and wore and termed that as a wealth of resources that
if well marketed online through various social networks had the ability to
change their lives. She urged them to seek assistance at the Maarifa center
regarding this.
This was surely a memorable day!
