Youth Empowerment Through Digital Learning: Success Stories from A Non-Profit Education Organization
Digitalization stands as one of the most transformative trends of our time, offering a powerful tool to bring access to opportunity and eradicate poverty. Rapidly evolving digital technologies have already reshaped our everyday lives and our worldwide society. However, the benefits of these advancements are not evenly distributed, particularly in rural East Africa.
In East Africa, digitalization is progressing much more slowly. The region currently has the lowest rate of digitalization globally, with high-speed internet coverage at only 64% and usage at 24%. Without access to the internet or digital literacy skills, young Africans are being left behind. This is a significant concern, considering that the population is expected to be the largest working-age population by 2050.
Addressing the digital gap in East Africa is imperative, and non-profit educational organizations like the Asante Africa Foundation are stepping up to the challenge. They provide targeted digital skills training, enabling youth to develop skills and capitalize on opportunities within the digital economy.
Let’s explore how Asante Africa is bridging the digital divide through innovative programs targeting digital literacy. We’ll also showcase inspiring success stories of young individuals transformed by these initiatives.
The Importance of Digital Skills in Today’s World
Digital skills are essential for participating fully in the modern economy and society. From accessing information and services to enhancing employability and fostering innovation, digital literacy opens up a world of opportunities.
The World Economic Forum reports that by the end of the decade, over one billion new jobs will demand digital skills. Due to the velocity, scope, and systems impact that technology has had and continues to have on our workforce, the digital revolution has even been likened to a fourth Industrial Revolution.
It’s clear that addressing both access to technology and digital literacy is essential to supporting youth in rural East Africa and other underserved regions.
It’s part of the Asante Africa Foundation’s mission to help bridge this divide.
Through our Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP), Asante Africa equips youth in rural areas with essential digital skills. These initiatives enhance individual prospects and drive broader economic and social development.
Asante Africa’s approach combines practical, hands-on training with strategic partnerships with industry leaders like Google and Cisco. This ensures that participants receive valuable real-world experience, making them competitive in the job market. By focusing on underserved areas, Asante Africa helps level the playing field, offering opportunities to those who might otherwise be left behind in the digital age.
How Non-Profit Educational Organization Asante Africa is Bridging the Digital Divide
At the Asante Africa Foundation, we believe that everyone has talent and potential, but not everyone has access to opportunities. To address this gap, we partner with rural schools and communities in East Africa to provide vulnerable and underserved youth with the educational resources and support they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Our staff comes from the very communities we serve. With input from parents and local leaders, our in-country staff and local youth leaders drive program design and are the face of our organization. Local engagement keeps our programs culturally relevant and effectively meeting the needs of the community.
Our Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP)
One of our flagship initiatives is the Digital Employability and Entrepreneurship Program (DEEP). This program equips out-of-school youth in rural areas with critical digital skills, entrepreneurship training, and leadership development. Participants undergo a 15-month intensive program, gaining expertise in software development, hardware/software maintenance, business development, and project management.
DEEP leverages hands-on, project-based training and partnerships with industry leaders like Google, Cisco, Salesforce, and Amazon. These collaborations ensure that participants receive globally recognized certifications and more than 1,500 hours of field training, preparing them to secure employment or create their own job opportunities in the digital economy.
DEEP teaches a range of technical skills, including:
DEEP’s Impact
In 2021-2022, the DEEP program trained and mentored 22 digital apprentices, transforming them into master trainers. After earning their certifications, these trainers worked as technicians in schools, each supporting 5-6 schools and reaching about 100 students per school.
We deliver our DEEP training using the Learn-Do-Teach methodology, ensuring participants learn, apply, and teach essential skills. Our Pay-It-Forward model further amplifies this impact, as each apprentice trains three more individuals, who then do the same. This cascading effect builds self-confidence, teamwork, and critical thinking skills, creating a ripple effect that benefits entire communities by providing widespread access to digital literacy and inspiration through the achievements of their trainers.
While the numbers and statistics are impressive, it’s the personal stories of real individuals that truly highlight the impact of our work. Let’s amplify their voices.
Success Stories from DEEP
Rose Adhiambo Ochieng
Rose Adhiambo Ochieng joined Asante Africa in 2020 as a janitor. The financial barriers following the COVID-19 pandemic challenged her dreams of becoming a teacher. Despite these challenges, Rose’s determination remained strong.
In 2021, Rose joined the first cohort of our DEEP apprenticeship program as a volunteer while continuing her janitorial work. After six months, Asante Africa enrolled her as a full-time digital apprentice. Through the DEEP program, Rose acquired vital skills and earned globally-recognized certificates in IT support from Google and Computer Networking. She also gained a year of experience in Education Technology and completed her Bachelor of Education Arts degree through online study.
Upon graduating from the DEEP program, Rose secured a position with an Education Technology Company in Kenya as the Head of Curriculum Development. In this role, she is making a significant impact on her community by developing innovative educational programs and resources.
Regarding her time in our programs, Rose said:
“Thank you, Asante Africa Foundation, for empowering me to be a woman of substance.”
Kelvin
In 2021, Kelvin joined the first cohort of our DEEP apprenticeship program. Through this program, he developed his skills and graduated with a certificate in Digital Animation. The DEEP program provided Kelvin with the necessary training and experience to excel in the field.
Today, Kelvin is a senior animator at EdHub, a company dedicated to developing digital content for education. In his role, Kelvin focuses on creating animations that improve the quality of educational materials, making learning more engaging and effective for students
Bridget
Bridget Ainebyona, a 16-year-old single mother, joined the first cohort of our DEEP apprenticeship program in 2021. Through her dedication and hard work, she graduated from the program with a qualification in software development.
Bridget is now an associate facilitator for Akira Chix, a local enterprise dedicated to closing the gender gap by providing market-relevant technical skill programs to women. In this role, Bridget is giving back to her community by helping other women acquire essential technical skills, thereby empowering them to pursue their own career goals and contribute to the local economy.
What Does the Future Hold for Asante Africa and DEEP?
Asante Africa, a leading non-profit educational organization, is committed to expanding and enhancing our digital skills programs.
The DEEP initiative has proven to be an incredibly effective program, offering immense value to its participants and their communities. However, the success and expansion of such impactful programs relies on your support.
Donating or volunteering is one of the most effective ways to ensure the continuation and growth of these vital initiatives. Your contributions help cover essential costs such as initial onboarding expenses, training programs, fieldwork stipends, and global certification fees.
By supporting educational philanthropic organizations like Asante Africa, you play a crucial role in bridging the digital divide and creating lasting change. Your donation can provide the necessary resources for young individuals to gain valuable digital skills, enhance their employability, and contribute to their communities. Together, we can empower the next generation to thrive in the digital age and transform the future for countless young people in East Africa.
We encourage readers to contribute to this mission through donations, volunteering, or advocacy. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of many, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to succeed in the digital economy.
