Bridging the technology divide among schools and the introduction of technology tools to young students has been identified as a key enabler in bridging the digital divide.
Women in Technology and Innovation Africa (WITIA) and Rotary Club of Karen say that for students outside of major towns to compete effectively with their peers, they have to get equal access to resources.
Speaking during the launch of a smart library project in Ngaimurunya Comprehensive School in Kajiado County, WITIA founder Eunice Polman said the plan is to give 1,200 learners hands-on access to technology for the first time.
“When we connect learners to the internet, we spark curiosity. They stop being just users of technology and start imagining themselves as innovators,” said Polman.
The initiative, will equip the school with over 60 computers connected to the internet, in an effort to shift computer studies from theory to practice and prepare learners for the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) and future job markets.
Polman added that visibility of women in tech plays a crucial role in inspiring the next generation, particularly girls.
“When I come here, girls ask me, ‘Is it difficult to study computer science?’ They see me and realise they too can do it. That’s how we build interest and shift representation in STEM,” she added.
The schools head teacher, Charlotte Marinda, said the new facility will open up opportunities for digital literacy in a community where many families cannot afford personal computers.
“They will not only become better literate but may even discover things their teachers haven’t yet learned. All our 1,200 students will benefit since computer is a compulsory subject under JSS.”
The Rotary Club of Karen, sees the smart library as a game-changer.
“This is about empowering an underserved community so they are not left behind in the digital economy,” said Koi Githui, past president of the club.
“With this project, the children will finally gain the practical skills needed for the jobs of the future.”
The initiative also ties into Rotary International’s September theme of Basic Education and Literacy, under which Rotarians globally work to uplift underserved children.
As part of the broader literacy push, Oxford University Press has donated over 1,000 books to the school.
The smart library is expected to be completed in two months. Meanwhile, WITIA will host a charity event on September 26 to raise the remaining funds needed for the project and potentially expand similar initiatives to other underserved schools across the country.
“From chalkboards to smart screens, this project is about equity in education,” Polman said. “Every child deserves the chance to research, create, and thrive in the digital future — regardless of where they come from.”
For Women in Technology and Innovation Africa, the partnership goes beyond hardware. Founder Eunice Polman said the Sh3.5 million project — with WITIA already contributing Sh1 million — is part of a broader mission to nurture digital creators from a young age.
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