Background.

We are all aware that the global development is geared towards information Technology as a major tool of development. Nothing in the 21^st Century can be undertaken without some sort of IT input. We cannot afford to be left out. The government is intending to have all learning institutions computer equipped. It might take longer than they plan.

Karachuonyo cannot wait, we have to move and move fast. We are partnering with everyone who is interested in developing this sector to address this dilemma. Our youth in jua kali will not have jobs to take up in the next decade if we do not encompass IT in their training. A lot needs to be done and the time is now. We have 88 (eighty eight) primary Schools, 42 (forty two) Secondary Schools and 2 (two) technical schools. We are thus in our early programmes  getting  support from CDF and are also seeking donations from well wishers and international partners, we appreciate a lot individual in put in various parts of the Constituency in terms of Cyber cafes and small scale training enterprises as well.

We are in partnership with various organizations to take up some pilot programmes.

1. Cisco Networking Academy Programme - Secondary Schools.

This programme offers students around the world an opportunity to pursue Internet Technology curricula through web- based instructor led training and hands on laboratory exercise. Teaching basic to advanced IT skills, the networking Academy programme prepares students for industry standard certifications, including CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional).

The pilot programme will be offered to students at Ogenya and Mawego Girls Schools. Cisco has been able to provide 32 computers to both the schools and we hope this will offer the students IT essentials at the end of their forth forms.

Multi Choice School Networking - Secondary Schools.

This programme also offers the students with the opportunities to be exploited and would empower the students with firsthand knowledge in ICT, at the end of the course with the exposure guaranteed under the programme, the students a part from developing skills to help them in advance learning / research capabilities will develop interest in Information Technology careers.

This programme is being implemented at Oriwo and Gendia Boys High Schools.

2. Community Knowledge Centers ( CKC )

The Constituency CDF has partnered with Cisco to equip 3 ( three ) pilot projects, Pala Market, Nyangweta Market and Obaria Beach centers with IT equipment ( 15 Computers, projector equipment, video camera and editing equipment, youth resource and information items for every centre. ). This initiative is to improve access to basic human needs (health, education, housing and economic opportunities) by utilizing information technology as a tool. The CKC will provide residents with information and local resources in health, money management, employment and education.

We are building a bee hive which shall encompass as website to all the aspects of life at the constituency. This bee hive shall handle areas including,

1.      Agriculture

2.      Health

3.      Education

4.      Employment

5.      Environment

6.      Money

7.      Marginalized Groups

8.      Government, Management, Leadership, and Infrastructure

9.      Culture

Detailed Site Map:

I)  Agriculture

a.       Farm Inputs and Extension Services

b.      Marketing for farm produce

c.       Best practice farming techniques

d.      Fishing

e.       Power in rural areas

f.       Food Security and Food Banks

g.      Food Preservation

h.      Irrigation

i.       Livestock

i.      Housing livestock

ii.      Disease control in livestock

iii.      Feeding livestock

iv.        Agro-business (Bee-keeping, Fisheries)

j.      Micro-Loans

k.        Organic Farming

II) Health

a.       Health Facilities

b.      Diseases

c.       Family Planning

d.      Productive Health

e.      Water and Sanitation

f.       Hygiene

g.      Nutrition

h.      Fitness

i.        Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

III) Education

a.       Importance of Education

b.      Paying for Education

c.       Location of local schools

d.      Tying education to employment

e.       Scholarships and Bursaries

IV) Employment

a.       Skills and Training

b.      Income Generation

c.       Enterprise Development

d.      Business Incubation

e.       Find a Job

f.       Preparation for the Job Search

i.      Writing a C.V.

ii.      Writing a Cover Letter

g.      Preparing for an Interview

h.      Government Services

V) Environment

a.       Water

b.      Pollution

c.       Garbage Collection

d.      Dumping in the Lake

e.       Soil Erosion

f.       Sewage

g.      Deforestation

h.      Recycling

i.        Animal Trails

j.        Solar Energy

k.      Manufacturing Cooking Fuel

l.        Impact Assessment

m.    Climate Change

n.      Green Technology

o.      Green Houses

p.      Flooding

q.      Droughts

r.        Disaster Management

s.       Wind Energy

t.        Land and Land Use

VI) Money

a.       Financial Literacy

b.      Micro-loans

i.      For storage facilities for agricultural goods

ii.      For education

iii.      For health services

iv.      For small businesses

c.       Mobile Banking

d.      Table Banking

VII) Marginalized Groups

a.       Gender Issues

i.      Cultural Issues

ii.      Role in Decision-Making Process

iii.      Control of and Access to Land

iv.      Women and Information

v.      Wife Inheritance

vi.      Women and Skills

vii.      Women and FGM

b.      Youth Issues

i.      Examples of youth initiatives

ii.      How to become an agitator for development

c.       Orphans

d.      Elderly

e.       Disabled

VIII) Government, Management, Leadership, and Infrastructure

a.       Government Services

b.      Public Service Information

c.       Public Affairs

d.      Political Accountability

e.       Local Government

f.       Communication

g.      Means of Transport

h.      Roads

IX) Culture

a.       Community Calendar

b.      Local Customs

c.       Peace amongst different ethnic groups

d.      Sports

e.       Art

f.       Community Resources

g.      Community Cultural Centres

h.      Council of Elders 

These are daily aspects of our lives but we need to give IT a chance to look for solutions that would address these issues.

These are pilot programs but a lot should be done, we are scorching around to get support from any more willing partners. We are involving the youth in most of these processes and we expect them to be ambassadors of these initiatives.