Community
Bridging the Digital Divide in Kenya
Expanding Educational Opportunities in Rural Schools with WiLearn Digital Learning Initiative
At Gamewatchers Safaris, our commitment to conservation goes hand in hand with empowering communities through education. The Digital Smart Learning Project, implemented in partnership with WiLearn 4 Life Foundation and funded by the PD Foundation, is a testament to this commitment. By introducing digital learning to rural schools, we are bridging the gap between traditional education and the demands of a modern, connected world.
January Assessment Visit
Early this month, January 7th to 10th, 2025, Wildlife Habitat CEO Naheed Popat, along with WiLearn representatives Roland Diethelm (CEO of WiLearn 4 Life) conducted an assessment visit for the digital smart learning project in the Maasai Mara. They visited five schools in Ol Kinyei and Mara Ripoi, including:
- Endonyo Narasha Primary School
- Kishermoruak Primary School
- Nkineji Primary School
- Oloibormut Primary School
- Ilmonchin Primary School
The visit aimed to assess how the digital learning kits are being utilized, identify any challenges, evaluate hardware and software performance, and understand the benefits for students and teachers. WiLearn also hosted training sessions with teachers, ensuring they could maximize the potential of the kits and digital content.
Positive Feedback and Promising Results
The visit was a success, with teachers and students expressing enthusiasm about the digital learning kits. While challenges remain, such as ensuring consistent use and addressing technical issues, the transformative impact on education was evident. The kits have empowered students to go beyond traditional learning methods, offering them access to modern, interactive content that enriches their understanding of the world.
Expanding Digital Learning in the Mara
Last year, we celebrated a major milestone with the inclusion of Nkineji Primary School, located within the Mara Ripoi conservancy community, in our digital learning program. This addition brought the total number of participating schools in the Mara region to five. These schools now benefit from WiLearn 4 Life smart learning kits, which include solar-powered charging systems, MsingiPack servers, Smartviewer projectors, screens, Bluetooth speakers, WiFi modems, and headsets.
These tools are tailored for rural settings, enabling effective learning even in schools without internet or access to the national power grid. In September, teachers at Nkineji Primary completed a three-day training program, equipping them to seamlessly integrate these tools into their lessons.
WiLearn Projects in Selenkay, Amboseli
In addition to the schools in the Mara, WiLearn is also active in Ololulunga Supat and Iloirero primary schools, based in the community surrounding Selenkay Conservancy within the Amboseli region. These two active digital learning projects, further extend the reach of this initiative and exemplify how conservation and education can work together to empower communities.
A Brighter Future Through Digital Education
The Digital Smart Learning Project demonstrates the power of collaboration between eco-tourism, conservation, and community development. By equipping schools with solar-powered digital tools, we are not only empowering students but also promoting sustainable practices. This project, which aims to expand to 10 schools, reflects our belief that Kenya’s youth are the future stewards of its ecosystems. By providing them with access to quality education, we’re helping to shape a generation of leaders who understand the importance of balancing development with conservation.
Teachers from the schools involved in the program have shared their feedback, emphasizing the positive impact of the digital learning tools:
“The use of tablets and projectors as a means of delivering content to learners is excellent, even though they are not enough for the whole school,” says Mr. Danson Shololo from Oloibormut Primary School. “These tools help us engage students in ways we couldn’t before.”
At Ilmonchin Primary School, Mr. Raphael shared, “The projector is the best gadget in delivering content since most learners will participate in learning. Tablets are often used by ECD learners (PP1, PP2, and Grade 1) because they have smaller classes.”
This positive feedback from teachers underscores how the Digital Smart Learning Project complements the Kenyan government’s Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC). In remote schools, where access to digital tools was previously limited, this project has enabled them to meet the CBC’s requirements, which emphasize the development of digital learning skills. The project’s efficient, solar-powered charging solution for up to 20 tablets at once addresses the significant power challenges these schools face. By providing a reliable way to charge devices and offering a wealth of digital learning content, the project is making a meaningful impact in these schools.
How You Can Help
Your support can make a difference in this transformative initiative. You can learn more about the project and contribute here: https://donorbox.org/digital-smart-learning-project.
Together, we can bridge the digital divide, create opportunities, and build a sustainable future for Kenya’s communities and wildlife.
By Ivy Vuguza
Posted on 16th January 2025
