2nd April 2012

Shimoni Hub

GVI and members of local community work together to set up an internet café in Shimoni

After many hours spent fixing five computers by community field staff we have helped to set up a fully functioning internet café for community members in Shimoni, Kenya.

The five computers at ‘Bum Bum’s’ Internet Café. (Right) Mr Opiyo, the founder of the café.

Shimoni is a small but steadily growing community on the south coast of Kenya. The level of education amongst adults in this region is low, with many of the elder generation having never gone to school or attaining the KCPE (Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education). Furthermore, computer literacy is almost non-existent, with many members of the community having never seen a computer before let alone know how to use one. One of our long term objectives is to increase capacity amongst the local community, enabling people to develop additional skills, diversify income generating activities and improve their social economic status. Linking to this GVI started a computer literacy program in January 2012 offering free classes to members of the community with particular focus on Microsoft Office applications. These have proven to be incredibly popular but we are limited in our capacity as to how many members of the community we can provide training for. An opportunity for many more members of the community to gain regular access to computers arose in January 2012 when GVI was approached by local head teacher, Davidson Opiyo of Matunda Bora Academy. He wanted to set up an internet café in Shimoni to expose more people to computers and improve the levels of computer literacy in the area.

Mr Opiyo had acquired five computers, all of which were in poor working order and riddled with a range of viruses and inefficient operating systems. With a combination of patience and a passion for fixing computers, GVI Community Intern, Linnea Lundberg spent several weeks working on each computer. By the end of March 2012, all five computers are now virus free and working efficiently. In partnership with Mr Opiyo, GVI were able to set up a network linking all five computers, established internet access and installed a cyber café

operating system, sharing our skills and knowledge with Mr Opiyo at every stage. All the computers have typing tutorial programs installed as well as being equipped with web cams, skype and internet operating systems. The end result is a fully functioning internet café which will enable members of Shimoni community to not only become computer literate and increase employment opportunities, but expose them to the endless possibilities offered by the internet.

GVI continues to work towards its long-term objectives to increase capacity in Shimoni community to improve socio economic status and diversify income generating activities. If you would like to read more about this project please visit our website: http://www.gvi.co.uk/programs/community-and-conservation-expedition-kenya