Youths from Under-Served Communities in Kenya to Benefit from the LIFE Legacy Program

By Samuel Ouma

The LIFE Legacy Program, spearheaded by Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African non-governmental organisation, will benefit hundreds of youths from underserved communities in Kenya.

This follows the launch of the program in Tana River and Nairobi counties.

In Tana River, coastal part of the country, the program is being run by Amani Centre Community-Based Organisation  (CBO), while in Nairobi, it is being implemented by Gonline Africa. Both organisations are PIN partners.

The LIFE Legacy Program entails partnerships with community-based organisations and initiatives to replicate it in as many communities as possible across the continent.

The strategy provides a sustainable, low-cost paradigm that allows for cost-sharing with other organisations striving to close the digital divide among young people.

The 10-week program prioritises people with limited or no access to equipment and internet, focusing on digitally excluded persons who lack skills, confidence, and possibilities.

“The vision we have is that young people, no matter where they are born, should not be disadvantaged in the digital economy,” said the organisation’s Senior Manager of grants and Programs Strategy, Mr. Adeboye Adegoke, during the launch of the program in Tana River.

Mr. John Green, the Co-Founder of Amani Centre CBO, said the program was timely as Tana River is one of the counties that has lagged behind in digital proficiency. There exists a vast gap that requires to be closed.

Wachu Telita, Assistant Director of Education, Tana Delta, noted that digital literacy is essential to increase privacy awareness online, cybercrimes and fake news.

“The beneficiaries of this program will be able to also contribute to the economic growth of the society,” reiterated Wachu Telita.

During the launch of the program in Nairobi, Ms. Miriam Beatrice, the organisation’s Program Officer in East Africa, urged the youth to make the best out of the opportunity, adding that it was a building block to their career trajectory.

Mr. Alphonce Odhiambo, Gonline Africa Founder, said the time was ripe for the initiative, especially in informal settlements, as numerous young individuals require skills provided under the LIFE Legacy Program.

LIFE stands for LIFE Skills, ICTs, Financial Readiness, and Entrepreneurship.

The initiative is aimed at young people from underserved areas who lack the financial means to get the necessary education and skills that will allow them to participate economically in the digital era.

The program began in 2007 at a modest cybercafé called Stadnet in the centre of Ajegunle, Lagos, Nigeria, to provide young people with relevant digital skills and link them to possibilities in the digital economy.

To date, the organisation has had an influence on the lives of almost 6,700 young people aged 14 to 24.