Promoting digital literacy and computer proficiency for young people in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
PROPOSAL FOR INFLUENCE SUPPORT
Promoting digital literacy and computer proficiency for young people in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The teaching of 21st century skills will be necessary for African to transform itself into a continent of growth and opportunity. If young people in postwar states can utilize technology to unlock career pathways, build stable livelihoods and reinforce their democracies, they reduce their vulnerability to the cycle of poverty, inequality and conflict.
Dr. Kimmie Weeks
Problem
In Liberia and Sierra Leone, less than 5% of high school graduates are computer literate. In the short term, this affects their ability to access useful education resources and tools. In the long term, it prevents them from getting jobs and breaking out of cycles of extreme poverty.
According to UNICEF, only 8% of students have access to a computer and 14% have access to the internet in sub-Saharan Africa. In countries where families live on less than a dollar a day, computer literacy is desired, but not accessible or affordable.
Solution
Youth Action International is implementing the Transcend Project to establish computer labs with internet access in all Liberian and Sierra Leonean high schools within five years. By increasing digital literacy and computer proficiency, Transcend boosts students’ chances of accessing opportunities to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. In vulnerable postwar states, career pathways for young people are a vital step to stabilizing democracy.
With our model, labs are set up within the existing infrastructure of schools. In Liberia and Sierra Leone, where power is frequently unavailable, each renovated lab is equipped with solar panels to ensure a reliable energy supply. Transcend works with schools to recruit instructors, and provides training on the Transcend curriculum. We run the lab collaboratively with the school for the first year to ensure familiarization with standards and systems before fully turning administration over to the school.
Impact Metrics 2023/2024
5 labs completed in Sierra Leone 5 labs completed in Liberia 10,000 Students impacted
Why do we and Influence Foundation support this work?
Since 2006, YAI has built a strong track record implementing projects in postwar African countries in West and East Africa. YAI’s projects have benefited more than 500,000 people and the organization has received numerous awards, including the World’s Children’s Prize, for its work. It has been featured on CNN, BBC, MTV Canada and other international news networks.
UPDATE DECEMBER 2023
YOUTH ACTION INTERNATIONAL ALSO WINS GLOBAL RECOGNITION AWARD
YAI WINS IEEE's CONNECTING THE UNCONNECTED AWARD...
Dr. Kimmie Weeks and Youth Action International (YAI) have been announced winners of the 2023 IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge Award for Best Overall Concept to bring connectivity to the world’s poorest people. The award was announced at the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 4, 2023.
The IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge, a global competition, seeks innovative solutions to address the digital divide. Youth Action International’s concept is to bridge the digital divide by establishing computer labs at high schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
YAI’s project, which is called the Transcend Initiative directly addresses challenges faced by unconnected communities, where access to digital education, online educational resources and participation in the digital economy are limited. The organization is launching the first pilot project at two schools in Liberia and Sierra Leone with long term plans to put a computer lab in every qualifying high school in Liberia and Sierra Leone within five years.
Award organizers explained that the IEEE Connecting the Unconnected Challenge “looks for solutions that go beyond connectivity to address societal needs like education and livelihoods.” YAI is sharing the prize money with three other organization working to make an impact in unconnected and under-connected communities.
Dr. Weeks expressed gratitude for the awards and stated that it was a validation of YAI’s concept. "Africa has the opportunity to elevate its status, create new jobs and lift million out of poverty simply by investing in bringing forward a digital revolution, said Dr. Weeks. He lamented that according to official United Nations estimates, less than 5% of Liberian high school students are computer literate. “In the current digital age, we can and must make the investments to ensure that all of our young people can graduate from high school with some level of computer proficiency.”
The IEEE Future Networks Initiative acknowledges the crucial role played by local providers and innovators in reducing costs and overcoming cultural and technological barriers. Through initiatives like the Transcend Project, Youth Action International and Kimmie Weeks are making strides in creating sustainable outcomes that contribute to reducing the digital divide.
