Future female leaders: How ICT enables change

Today is International Girls in ICT Day, a day to celebrate and encourage girls and young women to pursue their dreams and aspirations in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT). At Nice Place Foundation, we are proud to be part of this global movement and to contribute to the empowerment of girls and women in marginalized communities in Kenya through our computer coding course.


One of our essential courses in the Leadership Academy is computer coding, which creates a template for lifelong learning and cultivates interest in girls to pursue technology and technology-related courses. The goal is for them to not only benefit from the technological transformation being experienced globally but also lead the transformation. We believe that coding is a powerful tool for creativity, problem-solving, innovation and social change.


Our curriculum covers the basics of HTML and CSS and is carefully designed to be engaging, interactive, and hands-on, catering to the unique needs and interests of girls. We use a variety of teaching methods, including group projects, coding challenges, and real-world applications, to make the learning process fun and relevant. During the training, we expose our students to inspiring role models and mentors from the tech industry, who share their stories and experiences with them. We also organize field trips to tech companies and events, where our students can network and learn from other professionals and peers.


Since the launch of Nice Place Foundation, 305 girls have benefitted from the 5 training cohorts that have been conducted and we have seen amazing results and impacts. Some of our students have gone on to pursue further education in ICT-related fields, such as ICT, computer science and software engineering. Some have started their bidding for gigs and online work and some are using their skills to market the handcrafts.


As we encourage them to make their voices heard, Let them speak for themselves:


Charity, 17 years old:



"Thanks to Nice Place Foundation's coding course, I now have a solid foundation in HTML and CSS. I have learned how to create and design simple websites from scratch, and it's been an amazing experience. I never thought I could code before, but the course made it accessible and fun. I made my first successful website and I am excited to continue my coding journey. I have already enrolled in

a number of online coding classes and I am enjoying the experience.’’

 



Abigael, 18 years old:


"I aspire to be a professional chef and intend to start my own line of restaurants in the future. Learning
coding at Nice Place Foundation has helped me acquire skills that I will use to design my own website where customers will be checking the day’s menu and/or making orders."




Ritah, 18 years old:


"I had an interest in computers before I joined Nice Place Foundation. I was not sure what I will be doing but I just loved it. The foundation has empowered me to pursue my passion for technology. The experience has opened my mind and through the mentors we had, I am now more convinced to pursue software engineering. I am determined to use ICT skills to make a meaningful contribution to society and inspire other girls to pursue careers in technology."




We are proud of our students and their achievements. We are grateful for our partners and supporters who have made this course possible. We are hopeful for the future of our girls and women in ICT. We invite you to join us in celebrating them today and every day.

Happy International Girls in ICT Day!


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