The African Center for Women, Information and Communications Technology (ACWICT) delegation met today with the Turkana Deputy Governor, Dr. John Erus at Lodwar, to discuss Skills for Prosperity Programme (S4P) project.
ACWICT which is a Kenyan-based ICT for development organization that aims at promoting women and youth access to and knowledge for ICT as a tool for sustainable development. The project seeks to improve skills level to accelerate employment rate as well as boost productivity for women, low-income youths and persons living with disabilities.
The project will aim at equiping girls from Turkana County with Information and Communication Technology and Technical skills like solar installation skills and further provide life skills, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.
During the meeting, Elizabeth Wanja, the Program Manager, led the delegation in briefing the Deputy Governor on the S4P project. It was noted that the programme will be implemented through partnership and collaboration with the County Government of Turkana, with the aim of networking more than 300 young women trained and empowered to access decent and sustainable job opportunities.
The training which will be delivered through selected vocational training centers will see close to 400 marginalized women and girls in Turkana County trained within the projected four months of implementation.
During the meeting, the Deputy Governor urged that that with proper utilization of the internet, livelihoods will be improved stating that the county government is in the middle of a crisis and is really trying to put more structures in place to minimize Internet and energy poverty amongst the Turkana people. He further, emphasized that wealth creation being one of the nine-points agenda will be realized by increasing opportunities for solar installation as well as Internet infrastructure.
He also added that the county government has partners who are willing to support Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) and that their goal is to look at TVETs as centers for innovation. As a commitment to accelerate access to information, he hinted that the county government is planning to launch a faster fiber optics cable connection very soon, and that Lomurkai’s administration is keen on setting foundations to take Turkana County to the next level.
In the meeting, the attendance included, Leah Audan(CEC for Education, sports and social protection), Stephen Eregae Ag Chief officer VETs and sports along with members of ACWICT: Lucia Buluma, mentorship lead; Steven Kimetu, M&E officer; and Paul Opiyo, Programs Manager.
