On October 19, the organization, in partnership with the Internet Society Foundation Global Encryption Coalition, local schools, and civil society stakeholders, hosted Global Encryption Day 2024 in Ugunja, a significant milestone towards digital literacy, digital transformation, and empowerment.
Kijiji Yeetu Community Network event brought together 5 teachers and 52 pupils from five primary schools: Ambira, Ngunya, Sirandumb, Ugunja, and Nyamasare, who play a pivotal role in ensuring internet access and digital literacy education at the grassroots level. Several civil society organizations, including UGUNJA DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE @Ugunja Youth Parliament, SOTENI KENYA Ugunja, USAID4theChild, ChildFund International Rangala Project, and Siaya SEED Sacco, Ugunja Bodaboda, CROSS STYLE COMMUNITY CHURCH group representing farmers, health workers, interfaith, youth, women, and children, contributed to making the event a success.
The primary objective of the event was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the digital world safely and securely. By focusing on encryption and privacy tools, the organizers aimed to empower individuals to protect their personal information and safeguard their online activities.
Key Highlights are participants received training on digital security, responsible internet use, password management, and the importance of data privacy; Demos and Interactive learning allowed pupils to adopt child friendly digital security and encryption practice/knowledge to real-world scenarios and Community Engagement and collaboration, as participants shared their experiences and insights.
Kijiji Yeetu has not only raised awareness about digital security but has also laid the road map for local schools and civil society organizations and ensured better solutions of digital literacy will be felt for years to come. Kijiji Yeetu has ambitious plans to expand internet access and digital literacy in Ugunja. By deploying Wi-Fi in 10 more schools, organizations, and hotspots and establishing ICT Clubs, the organization aims to create new opportunities for learning, communication, and economic development.
Impact on the Community
Kijiji Yeetu’s event on Global Encryption Day not only raised awareness about the importance of encryption but also strengthened the ties between pupils, teachers, civil society, and parents. By fostering collaboration, the event helped create a community that values digital literacy and recognizes the importance of protecting personal information. Feedback from participants indicated a significant increase in understanding of encryption and its implications. Many pupils expressed excitement about the hands-on activities, while parents appreciated the insights shared by experts. Teachers noted the positive impact of the event on students’ engagement with cybersecurity topics. To ensure that everyone benefits, Kijiji Yeetu will organize Interfaith ICT forums and ICT4Girls/Youth Mothers Boot Camps. These initiatives will promote inclusivity and address gender disparities, empowering marginalized groups to participate in the digital economy. Through continued ICT awareness campaigns and workshops, Kijiji Yeetu is committed to transforming Ugunja into a digitally empowered community.
Conclusion
Kijiji Yeetu’s successful commemoration of Global Encryption Day exemplifies the power of community collaboration in addressing pressing digital issues. By uniting pupils, teachers, civil society, and parents, Kijiji Yeetu not only educated participants on the importance of encryption but also fostered a culture of digital awareness and responsibility. This event serves as a model for future initiatives aimed at promoting cybersecurity and digital literacy in the community.
