• 2025-05-29

How L’AFRIKANA Is Bridging the Gap for Girls and Youth in Kenya

In a world that is rapidly going digital, millions of young people are still left on the wrong side of the divide—especially those from refugee communities, informal settlements, and low-income families in Kenya. For many, the dream of ever touching a computer, let alone mastering it, seems distant. But at L’AFRIKANA, we are rewriting that story—one lesson, one young life at a time. Why Digital Skills Matter Now More Than Ever The global shift to digital platforms has transformed everything from learning and job hunting to entrepreneurship and civic participation. In Kenya, mobile money, online businesses, and digital education have become central to daily life. But while some young people are innovating in tech labs, thousands of others—especially refugee girls—lack even basic access to a computer. This gap is not just technological; it’s educational, economic, and gendered. Girls in under-resourced communities face multiple layers of exclusion: from societal expectations that limit their mobility to the lack of devices and internet access in their homes or schools. Digital skills are more than just tools for employment—they’re keys to self-expression, civic agency, and independence. Without them, our youth risk being left behind in a future they deserve to be part of.

Why This Program Matters What We Need We currently operate with limited machines, some generously donated by well-wishers. But demand is growing, and so is our vision. To reach more learners and scale our impact, we are calling on supporters with goodwill to join us: ✅ Private Sector: Donate used or new laptops, support infrastructure, or sponsor training modules. ✅ Donors and NGOs: Partner with us to expand the program across different locations. ✅ Philanthropists and Foundations: Help us create permanent, well-equipped digital hubs. ✅ Well-Wishers and Individuals: Every contribution counts—be it a mouse, keyboard, or a shared story. Kenya is at a digital crossroads. While innovation hubs and tech startups are booming in cities like Nairobi, too many young people—especially in informal settlements and refugee communities—remain cut off from this progress. Girls face even greater challenges, battling social stigma, lack of resources, and limited exposure. By equipping youth with digital literacy, L’AFRIKANA is not only improving individual lives—we’re investing in Kenya’s long-term development. These are tomorrow’s teachers, leaders, coders, and problem-solvers. Their success is our shared future. The Challenge: Demand is High, Resources are Low Every day, we receive new requests from young people eager to join. The interest is overwhelming—but our capacity is limited. Currently, we operate with just a few computers, many of which are outdated or shared by multiple students. Our volunteer trainers go the extra mile, but the need is growing faster than our means. This is where we need your help.

A Call to Goodwill: Let’s Power These Dreams Together We are reaching out to people and organizations of goodwill—those who believe in equity, innovation, and the power of young people. Whether you are: A donor agency interested in youth empowerment, An NGO looking to partner in digital inclusion, A private company with unused laptops to donate, A foundation committed to closing the education gap, or A philanthropist who believes in girls’ futures— L’AFRIKANA wants to work with you. We need more machines, better connectivity, and expanded training sessions. One machine can train dozens of students. One partnership can change the course of a community. What Partnership Looks Like Donate equipment: Laptops, desktops, monitors, power cables, routers. Sponsor a training cohort: Support learning materials, trainer stipends, and meals. Partner with us: Bring your CSR or youth-focused programs into our learning model. Spread the word: Share our story with others who can help. Our Vision: A Digitally Empowered Generation Imagine a refugee girl in Nairobi learning to write her CV, email potential employers, or design a flyer for her small business. Picture a young boy from the slums of Kayole mastering Excel and dreaming of becoming a data analyst. This is not fiction—it’s already happening in our classrooms. But we can do more. And we must. Final Word At L’AFRIKANA, we don’t see youth as problems to solve—we see them as solutions in the making. The future belongs to the digitally literate, and we want every girl and boy to be ready for it. We invite you to be part of this journey. 📨 To donate, collaborate, or learn more: info@lafrikana.or.ke 🌐 www.lafrikana.or.ke Together, let’s light up the future—one keyboard at a time. #DigitalSkillsForAll #GirlsInTech #LAFRIKANA #YouthEmpowerment #KenyaInnovation #BridgeTheDigitalDivide #CSRforGood #DonateTech #EmpowerHer