‘Digital villages, fibre optic cable, the paperless office’… these are just but a few of the terms making headlines on most of our local media today in as far as technology is concerned. The Kenyan lifestyle is slowly becoming something close to that in the developed world. The use of ICT in almost every aspect of today’s living is no longer a preserve of the ‘rich and famous’. Mobile phones are a must-have in almost every society without attaching any affluent connotation to the person in possession of the once most sort after electronic gadget.

With this fierce techno-revolution sweeping across the globe, AfriAfya and World Vision Kenya joined hands in 2008 with an aim of establishing community learning centres (CLCs) to benefit some of the extremely marginalized communities in various parts of the country. This partnership is primarily geared towards improving the use of ICTs for increased health and development, knowledge sharing, and teaching among children, women and people with disabilities.

With backing from the Australian Government AID (AusAID) and World Vision Australia, this initiative is being implemented in three of WVK (World Vision Kenya) ADPs; Osiligi ADP in Kajiado District of Rift Valley Province, Katito ADP in Nyando District of Nyanza Province and Taru ADP, Kinango District of Coast Province.

Enhancement of universal and equitable access to quality health and development information is the core expectation to be derived from this project. It is expected that the existence of the CLC at the grass-root will help create informed, empowered and healthy communities, contributing to social transformation in the target ADPs by the year 2011.

This dream is slowly being realized with trainings being undertaken in the three sites. Community members have been trained in ICT, Community Communications and CLC Management. Equipping has already been accomplished at the Osiligi site; Kisapuk CLC and commendable progress is being made in Taru and Katito ADPs.

An informed and empowered community is the key to national development as the ripple effect sweeps across geographical and social boundaries. This is what the CLC project is expected to eventually bring forth.