NairoBits Trust positively changes the lives of vulnerable youth by improving their ability to contribute to their socio-economic well-being through ICT.
The Trust empowers marginalized youth between ages of 15 to 24 living in the Urban Informal Settlements.
The Trust envisages a situation where 7… read more0% of the urban informal settlement youth can be able to access Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills that would improve their chances of getting employment as well as increase their ability to enter the business market.
The Trust develops the youth’s character by inculcating critical elements of personal confidence, self-esteem, and general life skills.
Mission
NairoBits exists to positively change the lives of vulnerable youth by improving their ability to contribute to their socio-economic well-being through creativity and innovation using ICT.
Vision
Our vision is to be a Centre of excellence for youth empowerment in creativity and innovation through ICT
Core Values
NairoBits upholds the following values:
Mutual respect without discrimination on account of race, ethnic background, gender or religious persuasion;
Cross-cultural appreciation/interaction,
Creativity and quality electronic equality (e-quality).
Gender focused institution
NairoBits started as an idea child when Emer Beamer and Hester Ezra knew that the ICT space was evolving and could be used as a tool to change the lives of the young people from under served communities. They started a web design institute, where they offered their expertise in ICT and multimedia, to educate and empower the youth.
By the end of two months each youth had made his/her own website with self-made photos of their city, a story written about their new home on a virtual island, a self-portrait, a group animation on a self-chosen theme, and had taken part in an online exchange with Dutch students. The youth learned to work with software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Microsoft Word, GIF Builder and Netscape. They also learnt to scan, print and maintain the computers.
The works made were exhibited in the National Museum of Kenya, this was also the first digital exhibition to take place there. The media was attracted by the story and Dutch Filmmaker Rein Hazenwinkel made a documentary as did the BBC.