GirlKind CEO Mrs. Fatuma Hakar & Co-Director Mr. Abdi testing the donated laptops in the computer laboratory
GIRLKIND VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTER LAPTOPS DONATION & NEEDS ASSESSMENT VISIT - GARISSA COUNTY
By Rtn. Mejumaa Mbaruku
In this digital age, access to computers and the internet has become a basic necessity, especially in the education sector. Furthermore, it is evident that ICT is an enabler that is central to economic and social development.
It is for this reason that the Rotary Club of Hurlingham in the spirit of One Love sent a convoy consisting of club members and IPP Rotaractor Ann from the Rotaract Club of TUK to make laptops donation and undertake a needs assessment in Garissa on the 19th of February 2022. The Rotary Club of Hurlingham in partnership with General Electric East Africa donated 10 laptops and sanitary towels to GirlKind Vocational Training Centre in Garissa County. The donated laptops are to support, impact and improve the Education and Literacy within the institution through GE East Africa’s IT for Charity Program. This will go a long way in promoting digital literacy among the youth and women in the area.
RC Hurlingham members at General Electric offices in Nairobi during the handover of the laptops donations.
GirlKind Kenya is an NGO based in Garissa, that focuses on promoting human welfare especially for girls through vocational training, sports, advocacy and sensitization of the community on outdated cultural practices like FGM and early marriages. Some of the initiatives they do include; table banking and economic empowerment of FGM circumcisers; reproductive health programs and advocacy on anti-terrorism and gender based violence.
A member trying her hand in one of the vocational training activity
It was quite an interesting journey through paved road links from Nairobi through Thika Road on to Mwingi, Bangali and finally to Garissa town. 360 Kilometres later, sight of the proverbial, humped Dromedary camels was upon us and the amazement on our faces was evident. At exactly 40 minutes past 1pm we’d arrived at our destination. Garissa's rugged terrain, panoramic landscapes and hospitable people is a great place for chilled expeditions and game drives.
Members toured the Vocational Center which have two sites in Garissa with the intent to undertake a needs assessment of the community with plans of developing projects that will promote economic development of Garissa. Some of the pressing issues and challenges identified in Garissa include; inadequate water supply, poor sanitation, low literacy levels, lack of access to health care facilities, FGM and early marriages due to retrogressive cultural practices among several others.
Immediate needs that can turn around the center include, provision of learning materials stationery, equipment’s like electric sewing machines, beauty training apparatus, welding machines, printer/photocopier/scanner/camera to set up a business center, sanitation and hygiene facilities, additional water tanks, need to grow trees,
It was unanimously agreed that the hot climate notwithstanding, Garissa is a beautiful place and a revisit is eminent and so is a sustainable project around the place.
Rotary Club of Hurlingham plans to develop ways of partnership as well as resource mobilization for long term projects aimed at promoting economic empowerment of residents of Garissa County.
Together we can change the world, one area at a time.
One Love