Intel partners with Airtel to unveil digital ICT training caravan

The Intel Mobile Caravan has began its journey in Narok County and Nairobi County. It will proceed to Muranga and Machakos Counties in the trial phase

Nairobi, KENYA, Sep 21 –  Intel Corporation has rolled out the Intel Mobile Caravan that will provide digital ICT training to communities in peri-urban and rural areas.

Intel, in partnership with Airtel, will train women in the mobile caravan in four counties for its pilot phase. Airtel is the connectivity partner for this initiative and will provide high speed 3G connectivity to all the 30 Intel laptops and 4 BRCK KIO kits available on the caravan.

During the flagging off the caravan, Her Excellency, Hon. Rachel Ruto said the training is set to positively impact the lives of many women and children, adding she was honored to be part of the initiative.

“It is a great honor for me to be part of this great initiative that will see communities and especially women, who are the custodians of the community, empowered with ICT skills that will help them to advance in life. Having worked with women in various capacities, I believe that this caravan will enhance their technical skills and they will, in turn, apply these skills in their livelihood projects,” said the Vice President’s First Lady.

“We are very grateful for the this partnership as our desire is to see all women become digital savvy. I look forward to the day when all women will be using tablets to just swipe and access all the information they need to better their lives.” Rachel Ruto added.

Airtel Kenya Legal and Regulatory Director, Joy Nyaga emphasized on the importance of internet connectivity in efforts to enrich lives in the communities.

“As more and more Kenyans continue to take advantage of the rapid development and penetration of the Internet as an authentic source of learning and business development information; it is of great importance to ensure that our communities are connected so that they can be empowered and fully engaged in the endless world of opportunities that is the Internet whilst gaining access to meaningful resources that will enrich their lives,” said Nyaga.

Other key partners in the initiative include the Kenya Institute of Curriculum development (KICD) charged with ensuring coordination with schools and providing digital educational content, JoyWo (Joyful Women Organization) run by Mrs. Ruto in the mobilization of women in the respective communities to attend the training sessions, Global Peace Foundation which is involved in developing and executing training modules for the target audiences as well as Chandaria Foundation that provides partial funding of the program.

Intel Corporation has been impacting the lives of women and girls through the Intel She Will Connect program that empowers women and girls with digital literacy thus enabling them to receive better education, enhance their political participation, have a stronger voice in their communities, and increase their income by connecting to new economic opportunities.

The program has so far impacted over 150, 000 women in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa through face to face training.

The Intel Mobile Caravan which began its journey in Narok County between 4^th and 10^th September, was in Nairobi during the Social media week independent and will land and be stationed in Murang’a from 19^th  to 24^th September and later move to Machakos County from 25^th to 30^th September 2016.