2005 APC Hafkin prize winner trains Kenyan youth for business opportunities

For young people living in poverty in coastal Kenya, surfing the internet and learning how to use computers make most sense when these skills mean better economic opportunities and work-readiness. In recognition of this, the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) announced on May 26 that the winner of the APC Africa Hafkin Communications Prize for 2004-5 is the “Global Education Partnership - Wundanyi” in Kenya. Global Education Partnership - Wundanyi (GEP) is a not-for-profit organisation located in the Taita Taveta District of Kenya. It has created a 12-week comprehensive training programme that focuses on “entrepreneurship and work-readiness skills” for local youth from 15 to 24 years. "A clear lesson is that entrepreneurs are difficult -if not impossible- to create but they can be identified and supported," GEP's East Africa Regional Coordinator Tammy Palmer told APC. Taita Taveta is one of the poorest areas of Kenya with a poverty rate of 66% -- 10% higher than the national average. The youth in Taita Taveta can see little on the economic horizon that will offer them a viable livelihood. Access to traditional livelihoods is fast shrinking and most residents are subsistence farmers or squatters. Over nine years, GEP has trained 948 students, with 944 completing the course, 113 being awarded business capital, and 47 owning their own business. Students are asked to contribute a "commitment" of Kshs 1000 (approximately $12.50 USD). In recognition of their vision and implementation, a six-member international jury awarded the Kenyans the $7,500 USD award which is named in honour of Nancy Hafkin, a pioneer of networking and development information and communications in Africa. This article is reproduced from APC.

User comments

"ICT's and development" Author: salome lukwiya Time: 08.06.2005 14:03 Comment: are there any such projects running in Uganda today or in the past? if so, what has been there impacts on povery eradication after the usage of ICT's however minimal.

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