The ICT4Tomorrow Project, a cornerstone initiative of Sambaza Group Foundation, is dedicated to bridging the digital divide and fostering educational development in East African communities, with a primary focus on rural Kenya. Conceived in 2005 as a collaboration with “Computer Schools for Kenya” and officially launched under Sambaza’s leadership, this project harnesses the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to empower young learners. ICT4Tomorrow continues to evolve, transforming education and community engagement through innovative technology deployment.
ICT4Tomorrow is composed of group of professional volunteers mainly PhD students, researchers and specialists from diverse backgrounds interested in making meaningful change in peoples lives. These groups of people have promoted Sambaza Group activities to various parts of the world, and currently members is well spread in at least seven countries.- Maseno University (site host for ICT hub, internet, interns, security and training program) • MotorWorld Group Limited (shipping and storage for all computers from Japan to Kenya)
- Kenya embassy, Japan (support of Sambaza Group activities in Japan through promotion and goodwill)
- Nagoya University, Japan (educational and curriculum development partner)
- Nagoya Institute of Technology, Japn (procurement of computers)
- Professional volunteers
- Computers for African Schools, United Kingdom (Advising services on implementation of the ICT4Tomorrow project successfully).
Specific project objectives
- Procure new and/or reused computers, ICT and multimedia peripherals, and server technology and install them at the Maseno University ICT Monitoring and Community Extension Centre. Establish 4 additional satellite ICT and multimedia community centers based in primary schools. Connect all centers centrally to the Maseno University location.
- Establish a refurbishing programme for reusable ICT equipment and peripherals at Maseno University, to manage the maintenance and repair of usable equipment and ensure the environmentally safe disposal of unsuable items. Further, to create a stable supply chain of storage and shipping of donated and new technology equipment to be refurbished and placed within community centres.
- Establish an internship programme in the areas of ICT center administration and maintenance.
- Undertake participatory research with the community members on information needs, and provide a forum for discussion and dialogue, both within individual communities and between multiples communities. Initiate the initial phase of participation with community leaders.
- Create and administer a curriculum for ICT and computer training.
- Train and build the competence of community members in ICT applications regarding their identified life needs such as education, agriculture, health, environmental conservation, trade, governance and policy.
- Collect, collate, store and distribute information and research findings related to the experience related to ICT4Tomorrow project to the public, government, non-governmental organizations and other interested parties.
- Capitalise on heightened techno-literacy within communities to facilitate the recording and inter-community exchange of folklore, drama, food, native languages, art and other traditional ideas and practices. Further, to link the ICT community centres with professionals, academics and artist, both in Kenya and the world at large, in a program of international, intercultural sharing and collaboration, through Sambaza Group multimedia web
Maseno University ICT monitoring and Extension Center
The “ICT Monitoring and Community Extension Centre” consists of the following facilities:
- A computer and multimedia ICT laboratory consisting of 100 desktop computers as well as television, projection systems and other multimedia technology.
- Server and computer equipment for the administration, implementation and monitoring of the ICT4Tomorrow Program.
- Work space and equipment for computer refurbishing and maintenance, as well as storage space for ICT technology to be used in future phases of of the ICT4Tomorrow Program.
- Training, extension and curriculum development center.
- Computer Lab Administration Internship Program
