01

2019

Youth Trained

Employment

Lives Impacted SRH

R

Satellite Centres

Kibera

Dandora

Mukuru

Kariobangi

Mathare

Kawangware

397

149Increased Number of Youth Trained

91%1,985

New:4 Total :9Partnerships with

50+

8497403

YouthReached

LivesImpacted

15

2

3

64

Community Based Organisations (CBOs)Partner to recruit the youth

Training and review(Getting connected,

Digital garage & Medialab)

Online Application

Shortlisting

Graduation & internshipInterview

Employment & sustainable livelihood

NAIROBI

Companies

02

Leapfrogging into thenext Decade

In 2019, NairoBits continued its commitment to transform and empower disadvantaged youths for an enhanced quality of life. We have consistently looked for interventions where our contribution to the communities we work with could make an accelerative impact in the society. From providing the youth with practical Innovation and Technology skills to providing Entrepreneurial and Sexual Health Education; NairoBits is focused on creating decent employment opportunities essential for sustainable economic and social development. We take great pride in our results which are largely due to the passion of our strong team of professionals, dedicated partners as well as our donors.

This year saw us forge deeper into strategic partnerships across all our programme areas. We successfully implemented our Inclusion and Diversity program through a partnership with Agency for Disability and Development in Africa(ADDA). This partnership saw us integrate students with disability into our training programs. Additionally, our annual student exchange program with the London School of Economics allowed for the continuation of our mutual learning and skills exchange as well as knowledge transfer. Similarly, our supporting partners continued to provide our students with mentorship, internships and job opportunities.

Finally, in recognition of our impact in communities, our Executive Director, Magdalene Wanjugu was selected by enpact e.V. to participate in the Female Tech Businesses in Africa Programme (FEBA) in Berlin, Germany. This Bootcamp aims at fostering capacity and network development. We were also invited by the African Union to lead a panel on ‘Promising Innovations in Education Delivery and Management’ during the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2019. Locally, we were recognized by the media for our admirable efforts in community education and youth empowerment in the informal settlements.

About Nairobits

NairoBits is a registered Trust based in Nairobi, Kenya that focuses on empowering the youth from the informal settlements in Nairobi by equipping them with useful technology skills. We believe that in the midst of the slums lies untapped potential that needs to be nurtured and given the platform to grow. Using an Information Communication and Technology (ICT) training program dubbed Innovation and Technology (InnTech), we target youth aged between 17 and 24. Through the program, we empower and transform their lives using our 12 training centers hosted by Community-Based Organizations (CBO’s) that are spread across the informal settlements.

Since our inception in 2000, we have always updated our technical training to meet industry demands and upscaled our programs through a holistic approach that integrates; Innovation and Technology training, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights(SRHR), Entrepreneurship and Mentorship.

In the 20 years that we have been in operation, NairoBits has imparted over 7500 youth directly and over 35,000 lives indirectly. Our students have advanced to practise these skills and serve at leading local and global technology and advertising firms such as Brand2D, Pesapal, Peak N Dale, Ace Solutions, Hensa Solutions, Dragonfly, Ideos, Oracom Web Solutions, Master card, Ogilvy, Brick, and Scanad among others. We take great pride in the recognition of our achievements in influencing a positive perception about the abilities of the youth from the informal settlements.

03

Innovation & Technology(Inn Tech)

SisTech

Mentorship & life skills training

Entrepreneurship Sexual & ReproductiveHealth Rights

OurPrograms

Tech For Empowerment (Inn Tech)This is a hands on training that centres on equipping the learners with digital skills focusing on web design and development, graphic design, entrepreneurship and life skills for employability. The training is designed to enable our students to develop and create solutions that solve complex issues in the communities they come from. Additionally , the training models a variety of training methodologies that balance between practice and theory. Students have access to high standard facilities and a minimum of 7 contact hours a day.

Getting Connected

- Basic computer skills- Elementary design skills (Graphic Design)

2 Projects

Digital Garage

- Social media Management- Project management - UI Design (Web) - Front end development 3 Projects

Media Lab Specialization - Creative Design (Product Design, UX/UI Design, Print Design, UX Research)

- Development (Frontend, Backend Development – PHP, JavaScript, CMS, etc ) 4 Projects

04

Graduates

381Average monthly internship income

Average monthly entry level income

Ksh. 10,000(100 USD) -Ksh.25,000(250 USD)

Ksh. 25,000(250 USD)-Ksh.50,000(500 USD)

Secured jobs & Internships

01.

SisTech ProgramThis is a girls-only ICT training program, developed to address the unique learning needs of girls from informal settlements. The program encourages more female students to enroll into ICT skills development programs, reduce the drop-out rates and therefore, bridge the gender gap in the technology sector.

In 2019, 52% of the students who graduated were female translating to 40% of job placements going to girls. Consequently, we achieved our goal of enabling more girls to access decent work in the face of occupational segregation by providing an avenue to access the basic necessity of education.

05

82%Gainfully Employedor Interning

Graduates

Average Monthly Entry Level Income

Ksh. 25,000(250 USD)-Ksh.50,000(500 USD)

02.

In 2019, 52% of the students who graduated were female

translating to 40% of job placements going to girls.

My name is Mary Apondi and I’m 23 years old. I was born of a street mother and raised in the streets of Nairobi. At a very early age, I was exposed to so many risks and challenges which robbed me of my childhood. My lucky break came when a good samaritan referred me to NairoBits. From the training at NairoBits, I gained skills that have opened opportunities beyond my wildest dreams and transformed my life. I have travelled the world- a highlight of which was my 2 weeks tech training at the heart of the Silicon Valley in California at the Googleplex. I aspire to be a voice for the street families and the unheard through advocacy and giving back!

EntrepreneurshipInnovation and creativity are one of our strongest components when it comes to our training, this is why we take a Start-Up approach in our training. With ICT taking up a bigger role in today’s world,we’re building the next future of innovators and creators. Our entrepreneurship module allows our students to be better prepared for the reality of running a business and or start up. Our students tackle a variety of topics, from financial management, the importance of branding and the power of social media tools. This ensures that our students have all the necessary skills to start and manage their own businesses.

MentorshipOur Mentorship Program aims to link the students with mentors from various fields who complement classroom learning with crucial skills that are necessary for their personal development, professional success, research-driven innovations, and community involvement. The program actively engages our alumni network that is far reaching and spreads across the region.

06

03.

10% 30%Freelancing/ SelfEmployed

Employed&Freelancing

07.

Sexual and Reproductive HealthRights Programme

As a major and recurrent social problem in informal settlements, NairoBits offers SRHR training to help young people exercise control over their own sexuality. The program also advocates for meaningful youth engagement in decision making and access to youth friendly services. 7403 40

YouthReached

PeerEducators

05.

PARTNERSHIPS

08.

Partnerships

The importance of partnerships, especially when engaging with the communities cannot be over emphasized. Partnerships are a key component of community advocacy efforts, enhanced community engagement in projects and helping in establishing a solid framework for continued support for services. Building on this premise, we have always endeavored to establish strategic and solid partnerships on all levels from our development partners (Google, SWIFT, Edukans, Computer Aid, Y-ACT) to peer organizations and Community based Organizations (CBO’s) and leading Institutions of Higher Learning such as the London School of Economics (LSE).

XAVIER STORY:SPECIAL FEATURE#InclusionandDiversity

My name is Xavier Eliano and I am 22 years old. I was born with a congenital disorder of movement, muscle tone and posture, medically known as Cerebral Palsy. Dealing with this condition forced me to be totally dependent on my family. It was hard to envision a world where I could take care of myself, not to mention gaining ICT skills.My time at NairoBits has made the best moments of my life. I have achieved great milestones, in the most supportive and welcoming environment. I credit the skills that I gained for my current job at the ICT Authority of Kenya. My dream of becoming independent and helping my siblings has been realised.

Experience, history, community trust and cultural competence Offer sustainability and ownership of the program Source of credibility

Community-BasedOrganisation

Continuous updates on new skills demands and ICT labour market trendsPotential employers Guide students on critical technical and social skills

BusinessOrganisations

Financial and capacity support

Donors

Encourage meaningful youth engagements Translates programme outputs to policy

GovernmentAgencies

09

Other Highlights of theYear

Programs manager Fareen Mwende and an alumni Caroline Wanza on the living with ess show on NTV.

APA Creative Week our lead trainer Ken Kioli (Centre) shares a light moment with two of our alumni

Third cohort graduation ceremony as we get to celebrate yet another group of 148 youths graduate with top skills in IT!

NairoBits at the Innovating in Education Africa Expo, 2019 in Gaberone, Botwana.

Computer Aid RahisiPC program allows students to own good quality laptops at an affordable cost

NairoBits participate in the Female Tech Business in Africa (FEBA) boot camp held in Berlin in August 2019.

NairoBits working with Watoto Watch Network to address issues of cyber security and how young people can use the internet effectively.

10

SRHR PROJECT-Get out speak outICT PROJECT- Tech For EmpowermentAdvocacy project-YACTAdministration Cost

4,903,259.00 15,637,698.006,506,111.00 6,283,620.00

SRHR PROJECT-Get out speak out

ICT PROJECT- Tech For Empowerment

Advocacy project-YACT

Administration Cost

Restricted Donations

Income generation ventures

2019 Total Operations ExpenditureKes. 33,330,688

2019 Fundraising TotalKes. 30,966,444.00

28,296,974.002,669,470.00

Restricted DonationsIncome generating ventures

Breakdown by Category

Breakdown by Category

11

DONORS

NoKantDo eG Mirror of Hope

Oasis Mathare

One Stop

Ruben Centre

Crime Si Poa

Youth Initiative Kenya

INDIVIDUAL DONORSCBO PARTNERS Shadrack Juma Foundation

Kibera Girls Soccer Academy

Family Health Options Kenya

Thank you for helping us impact the lives of our youth

BUSINESS PARTNERS

ADDA

Versatile

Seacom

Andela

Mtoto News

Numari Africa

Oracle

AYAREP

Peak and Dale

Cubiq Print

Yellow Pages

SOKA

Brand2D

GoDown Art Centre

Edu Plus Africa

Isys Solutions

Scanad Africa

OCD Creatives

Oceans Creatives

Ogilvy Africa

ICT Authority

Case Avenue Kenya

Mediabox Advertising Ltd

Ace Solutions Kenya

Laguna Properties

Mackone Designz

Cytonn Investments

12

Transformed youth who are productive & positively contributing members of the society

Decline in poverty – economically empowered youth - increased livelihoods

Empowering of the communities - The community centres are accessible to the public interested in learning.

Social awareness - Youth working to change their communities in various sectors i.e. Health, Politics, Education

Increased capacity for Community Based Organisations

SUPPORT. EDUCATE. CHANGE

We are grateful to all those who walk this journey with us.