Oldest computer trainee

For a long time Mr. Stephen Kamau has been a regular maarifa centre user. Now 60 years old, Mr. Kamau has always grown interest to be computer literate but his daily chores never allowed him to. "I have been trying hard to gain computer skills, but it has not been easy for me since I have a lot to do in my farm". His farm located a few kilometers from the maarifa centre has various types of crops including; Maize, beans, tomatoes and fruits like papaws and bananas.

Making the right decision
When Mr. kamau got the information about the computer training, he had to make the right choice, either to be left out or register for the training. "When I saw the advert about free computer training, I decided to register for it and gain the skills I have been yearning to have".


When asked how he feels about the training, this is what he had to say...
"I had never touched a computer in my life time... I can now boot a computer and perform some tasks on my own... Thanks to ALIN for this opportunity".

A message to the youth
when asked his advice to young generation, this is what he said...
"I wish the young people could know the opportunity they have... During our times, such opportunities were history".

He always advises young people to take up such opportunities to develop themselves.
"If this training opportunity could come during our times, we could be far much better than we are... Now that the world is advancing in technology, the youth should be in the front line to embrace this change".
Mr. Kamau likes reading magazines and books and his main interest is poultry farming.
“I would like to use the acquired skills to learn more about poultry farming from online materials and the secret behind the success of the enterprise in other regions”. Said Mr kamau when asked how he will apply the acquired skills.

What Biogas technolology users have to say

Nguruman residents had something to smile at as ALIN rolled down Biogas tubular technology as a way of responding to climate change. Due to notable decrease in vegetation regeneration as a result of climate change and deforestation, community members needed an alternative source of energy for cooking other than firewood. Biogas technology was the option they landed at after reading an article in Baobab magazine featuring tubular biogas technology in Uganda and due to availability of raw materials for running the system which are, organic wastes and in this case, animal waste and water, they thought it was good technology to adopt.

They also put in consideration the benefits of using the technology like smoke free environment, reduced or no respiratory tract and chest complications, clean kitchen environment, saving time for other family chores and also that its a cheap technology to adopt.

The following video highlights what the families feels about the technology.

Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, the way to go.

The Arid Lands Information Network endeavors to improve livelihoods through access to information targeting to raise communities’ awareness of pertinent issues using ICT.
In pursuant of this noble objective, the network, with funding support from the Climate Development Network, has been implementing a six-month project to sensitize communities on climate change issues. The project aims to enhance community and decision makers’ awareness of effective and practical measures to adapt to climate change in East Africa to facilitate local adaptation strategies and to promote more responsive policymaking on climate change.

A key strategy in achieving the above objectives was to deliver two workshops to selected climate vulnerable areas. The workshops were meant to enhance community skills in handling climate challenges within the context of environmental conservation through best practices. The first workshop was held from Monday 21th – Tuesday 22nd November 2011 in Nguruman, Kajiado North District, Kenya.
The workshop brought together participants from Government, church, provincial administration, community-based organisations, media and facilitators.

Workshop objectives
The workshop set out to achieve the following objectives:
• Promote of understanding of climate change as a global crisis
• To improve the exchange of practical information on agricultural and climate change adaptation practices amongst the rural and agricultural communities
• Empower local governance structures to give input into national policymaking by enhancing local knowledge of adaptation and access to planning processes
• Contribute to participants’ capacity, knowledge and skills in environmental conservation through best practices such as green energy.

The design, structure and delivery of the workshop were greatly appreciated by
participants who now feel comfortable engaging in climate change mitigation
at a personal level. It is expected the training would have ripple effect in
improving environmental management towards food security.

Free computer literacy for Nguruman residents

Nguruman residents begun their new year with smiles on their faces as they actively registered themselves for the long awaited computer training classes. community members showed different reactions regarding response to the call.

"I was surprised to see so many people registering for the training....," said Kelvin Koinet, a training consultant at the Maarifa centre.

"Its so encouraging to see people thirsting for knowledge.." aded Mr. Kasifu,a community member and chairman to the advisory commitee.

Community members from all categories registered for the training including; chiefs, teachers, pupils, farmers and youth especially form four leavers. 84 community members registered for the training and the numbers are expected to go up since the training will be ongoing.


Sofar, more than 60 people have begun the training and all is well according to Mr kennedy, who is the trainer. "I have had no problems with the students. They are all anxious and have shown willingness to learn."


New computers
The center was also equipped with the state of the art equipments, the latest computer model, 'inveneo' courtesy of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 'Access to learning Award', a prestigious and highly competitive award which ALIN was declared the 2011 winner in recognition of the organisation's work in using ICT's to empower arid lands commuities by locating maarifa (knowledge) centres in remote arid lands across East Africa and providing free access to information resources, including the internet and library resources.



The training is offered for Free and to all willing community menbers.

Yearning for knowledge

It was a well spend educational day for 28 students from Oloibortoto (20) and our lady of mt carmel (8) primary schools who visited the Maarifa center on a learning mission to quench their technological thirst and as well learn about conserving the environment.

Accompanied by their science teachers,the students were happy and excited to learn and have their fingers on the computer keyboards and learn some basics on computer operation.They also learned on tubular biogas and how it operates. The students were also quick to learn and identify some of the effects of climate change and action plan was arrived at that, each student present at the visit should go back home and plant two tree seedlings and take care of them until the time they can survive by their own.

The students could not belief animal waste can produce gas for cooking (Biogas) until they saw it work... "I thought it is just in books for purposes of learning.. I have seen it work" said Margaret Nogipa, a student at mt. carmel primary school.

Mr. Mutisya, the Headmaster and a science teacher at our lady of Mt. carmel primary school had alot to say about their learning mission and could not withhold his joy as he thanked the Maarifa centre team... " Our learning mission has been very positive and we thank the Maarifa centre for imposing such a positive message about climate change to the young generation."

Women as key players in attaining food security

Nguruman location is part of larger Magadi division, Kajiado North District, 160 Kilometres south west of Nairobi. Women around this place have realized that, food security is a factor to be looked into if the health and diet of future generation is important. They have formed women groups and registered them as common interest groups where they undertake activities geared at reclaiming food security which over the past few years has been deteriorating.

Climate change, diminishing soil fertility and poor crop husbandry among other issues have been attributed to food insecurity. According to FAO report on women and sustainable food security, women produce between 60 and 80 per cent of the food in most developing countries and are responsible for half of the world's food production, yet their key role as food producers and providers, and their critical contribution to household food security, is only recently becoming recognized.


Reversing the trend

Nguruman region has long been known for producing fresh vegetables for markets in the outskirts of Nairobi and other Asian vegetables for export. While men are busy venturing in to cash crop farming, women are on the other side ensuring that their families are food sufficient by planting food crops. Women have been seen planting traditional vegetables like cassava, sweet potato and arrow roots which are presumed to be the way forward towards attaining food sufficiency.

When asked where they got the information, Tenebo women group chairlady Mrs. Abu was bold enough to say… “Agricultural information is always available to us courtesy of Nguruman maarifa centre and the ministry of Agriculture extension officers”. The Maarifa centre and the ministry of Agriculture are on the fore front to promote traditional food crops due to their rich source of nutrients and adaptability to weather changes.

Women have reversed the normal trends of holding to large heads of cattle with no enough pasture to feed them throughout the year and are now keeping small stocks like poultry, rabbit, fish and dairy goats which are easy to manage and feed while producing enough food for their families and surplus for the market. One will only notice the marketing activities late in the afternoon when women and children start streaming to the market with bottles and gourds full of milk and others with donkeys loaded with small portions of agricultural produce.

Mama wamboi, a mother of three when asked why she decided to venture in to rabbit keeping, this is what she had to say… "I got interested in rabbit keeping since not many farmers are doing the business and there is a big market for the product. I then borrowed a book at the maarifa centre on backyard rabbit farming in the tropics which helped me to get more information on designing the house, breeding, nutrition, breeds and diseases".


Reference: http://www.fao.org/sd/fsdirect/fbdirect/FSP001.htm

Changing lives through delivery of timely information

Nguruman maarifa centre has been an information hub for communities living around since its establishment in 2006.
Being the only center connected to internet around this place, its rich source of information has encouraged many community members around this area to venture into sustainable livelihood activities like mixed farming and tapping renewable energy sources like Biogas energy. Farmers have no fears to venture in to these avenues since they are sure they will get the right information from the maarifa center.

The information delivered is repackaged to suit the target audience and in the form that they can understand. For Example, if a farmer doesn't know how to read, the center has information in form of DVDs which are show to the farmers as per their information need.

The youth have also a stake of the center since they are able to apply for online jobs, register for colleges and visit social sites like twitter and facebook. Some also have learn about blogging and are now having their blogs where they are able to market Nguruman through private businesses, (http://loitasafaritrekks.blogspot.com/).

Nguruman maarifa centre has also featured in the media which is appreciating the work ALIN is doing in changing peoples lives through delivering information at its Maarifa centers within kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Information+centre+brings+big+change+to+remote+village/-/1056/1241896/-/fu8i74z/-/index.html