By Bob Aston
The beneficiaries of FREE Computer Training’s at Ngarua Maarifa Centre in Laikipia County are very grateful for the program. The FREE trainings supported by The Bill & Melinda gates foundation, continues to impact positively on the livelihoods of the residents. Here are some few testimonies from some of the trainees.
During the General Election, Rahab
Njaramba 35, a teacher at 91 Municipality Primary School, was lucky to get a
job with the I.E.B.C as a Deputy Constituency Returning Officer for Laikipia
West Constituency.
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| Computer Trainees during a training session |
Computer literacy was one of the most
important requirements for the post. Having been trained at the then Maarifa
Business Solutions in nyahururu, she was able to prove that she is computer
Literate and was subsequently hired. She has used the skills gained from the training
to perform routine tasks like: lesson plan development, information
presentation, writing memos, writing both official and formal letters, as well
as searching for information through the internet. She has also started using Microsoft
word to write schemes of service. She said that she was initially planning to
take Computer classes in one of the local colleges but when she heard about the
Centre she decided to inquire about the training. She was impressed with the
reception and thus she decided to join. She used Microsoft Excel to calculate
pupil’s marks and to present their performance using a chart during first term.
Kanyi Joseph 23 cleared training at the Ngarua Maarifa Centre then started
working as a Community Knowledge Facilitator (C.K.F) at the Maarifa Centre. He
was always hardworking and volunteered to serve the community diligently.
“The Maarifa Centre provided me the
opportunity to learn a lot and also gave me the necessary skills and experience
which I am currently applying in my new work place. I am glad that I worked as
a C.K.F at the Maarifa Centre.” Says Kanyi
In early April year 2013, Kanyi saw an
advertisement for the post of computer teacher at Lariak Primary School and
promptly applied for the post. He was not deterred by the high number of
applicants and was confident that he would be selected. After a vigorous
interview process which culminated in a practical computer exam he was finally
picked as the best candidate. He has been charged with coming up with a computer
curriculum for the school as well handling computer classes. ‘‘The computer
training that I received at the Maarifa Centre really helped me. I can now
transfer the knowledge and skills that I gained to my students.”He said
Trizah Kamau 22 is the administrative Secretary-Glafa Agency. Initially, work at the agency was done manually, but after Trizah completed computer training her boss decided to buy a computer in order for her to use for administrative purposes. She is now applying her Computer knowledge in drafting agreements for the Clients, writing official letters and contracts and notices for vacations. She has also started using Microsoft Excel for calculating tenant’s payments and preparing statements for the landlord.
Ebenezer Matere 20, is currently a Cyber
attendant at Viona Agencies, she applied for the
job after completing ICT training. Matere did not have a Computer Certificate
at the time but after convincing the interviewer that he had the skills and
even asking for a practical test which he was given, he emerged the best among
those who were interviewed and was subsequently employed as a Cyber Attendant.
Ebenezer is currently utilizing his
Computer knowledge in helping their cyber clients. He uses the Microsoft Word
knowledge which he gained to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing
research articles and documents. He uses the internet knowledge to assist
clients open new E-mail addresses, helping clients fill online Higher Education
Loan Forms (H.E.L.B) forms, filling KRA online services and performing other
internet services. “Without the computer training I would not have managed to
get this job. I am glad that Arid Lands Information Network decided to conduct
training in Nyahururu town and that I was among the first beneficiaries,” says
Ebenezer.
Mary Wang'ondu 20 got a job as a Cyber Attendant at Frama Printers before
even completing Computer Training. She applied for the Job while still
undergoing training. She was invited for Interview which she passed. Her new
employer allowed her to continue with the training then reporting to work
immediately after classes.
She is currently utilizing the skills in
assisting the Cyber Customers. She applies her Microsoft Word knowledge to
draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing research articles and documents.
She uses the internet knowledge to assist clients create new e-mail accounts,
helping clients fill online H.E.L.B forms, filling KRA online services, opening
and updating G.H.R.I.S accounts for government employees and performing other
internet services.
Joyce Wanjiru 19, works as a Sales Person at Smartek Bookshop. Once she
cleared Computer Training her employer added a computer in the bookshop and she
was added more responsibilities with better remuneration. She is now both a
sales person and also a computer operator.
She is currently utilizing the skills acquired
from the training to offer various computer services. She uses the Microsoft
Word knowledge to draft curriculum vitae, letters, memos, typing notices,
typing research articles and documents.
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| Francis working on a project for I.B.S.A |
Upon completing computer training, Francis
Ngugi 25, started working as a volunteer at the International Bible
Students Association (I.B.S.A). He has an account with I.B.S.A where he
regularly performs various functions for I.B.S.A like data entry and drafting
Letters. He normally performs the data entry using Microsoft Excel.
“The Training that I received at the
Maarifa Centre enabled me to be computer literate and subsequently provided me
the opportunity to work as a volunteer for I.B.S.A” says Francis, “I am glad
that ALIN provided the opportunity for us to attend Free Computer Training,”
concludes Francis.
Charles Kiamah 19 currently works as a Cyber assistant at Skyclick in
Wangige-Kiambu County. He is currently utilizing his computer knowledge in
helping their cyber clients. He uses his new skills in Microsoft Word processor
to draft curriculum Vitae, Letters, Memo’s, type research articles and documents.
He uses the Internet knowledge to assist clients create new e-mail accounts ,
helping clients fill online H.E.L.B forms, apply for KRA services online and
perform other Internet services.
“God bless ALIN, The Training enabled
me to get a job; I am glad that I decided to join the Training.” Says Charles.
The Computer Training at the Maarifa Centre
has made Daniel Mwangi 22 decide to specialize in an ICT Course. He is
currently pursuing a Diploma course in ICT at Nairobi Aviation College.”I would
like to be an ICT expert with Technical skills in Computer Field like Computer
Analyst” Says Daniel.”I thank ALIN for the Free ICT Training and for enabling
the Youths gain Computer Knowledge.”
Maryann Mwarangu 21 applied for the post of administrative secretary at Click Agencies
after clearing training. ‘‘One of the requirements for the advertised post was
for one to be computer Literate. I knew that I met all the qualifications for the
post so I decided to apply. I was invited to vigorous Interview process which
concluded with a practical computer assignment. I emerged the best overall and
was subsequently employed. I thank ALIN for the opportunity which they gave
us.” Says Maryann
Maryann regularly uses Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Excel and Internet and e-mail at her work place. She normally Draft
and/or type, word process, format, edit, revise, and process a variety of
documents and forms including reports, correspondence, memorandum, agenda items
and reports, agreements, ordinances, She mostly draft Process mail including
receiving, sorting, time-stamping, logging, and distributing incoming and
outgoing correspondence and packages.
