Its excitement as Nyakasimbi Maarifa is launched

…. all other Maarifa centre services like documentation of local innovations, information disseimation, e-learning, e-government were well explained by the Field officer, Abella Eustace. As if this was not enough, they all watched short videos on rock catchment water harvesting in Mutomo, Kenya, Tubular biogas technology and Mr. Odiro’s testimony on how the ICT training at the Maarifa centre helped him get a job in Kenya.

What the Maarifa users said

Various testimonies were given by Maarifa Centre users, an indication the centre is gaining popularity and indeed meeting the community information needs. Mr. Simon Ntunkutirwe a teacher at Nyakasimbi primary testified how he used information from the centre to make own solution to control a banana disease locally called ‘Munyauko’.   An eighty year old mzee Mr. Mushaijaki was not left behind in being a ‘Dotcom’. He encouraged all to start learning computer skills for he’s already IT compliant and he thanked Mwalimu Zawadi (ICT skills trainer) for the good job she’s doing in training community members on ICTs. According to Zawadi the ICT trainings were initiated in mid January and so far 46 trainees have undertaken four packages successfully. Another lot of 40 trainees have registered for the free ICT training offered at the centre. Four of the trainees have been employed and one is in the process of starting own cyber café as a business.

The Many speeches

The Maarifa launch celebrations included speeches from various speakers. The guest of honor was Mr. Ndyanabo G, Former Inspector of Schools in Karagwe district who represented the District Commissioner. He encouraged the community to use the available information resources for their prosperity. Mr. Joseph Sekiku the Director of FADECO highlighted the progress FADECO had made since its establishment and registration in 2006. Among the many initiatives include FADECO community radio station, Eden Agricultural training centre, demonstrations of various appropriate rural technologies like solar and wind energy, solar fruit drying and much more. Among the other speakers was Mr. Paolo Melee the Renewable World East Africa Programme manager who indicated this was a starting point and RW will continue collaboration in supporting appropriate renewable energy technologies.

ALIN’s Projects Manager Mr. Noah Lusaka also encouraged communities to use the Maarifa Centre optimally and invited Rhoda from Mutomo Maarifa and Minja from Shinyanga who highlighted the impacts of their respective centers to the communities.

And Finally…

The Nyakasimbi Maarifa centre is an initiative of ALIN and FADECO with financial support from Renewable World, a UK based charity. Renewable World financed installation of solar-wind hybrid energy system that powers the Centre’s equipment, lighting at night and mobile phone charging.