As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, we honor Evelyn Omollo, a dedicated Computer Instructor and Head of Training at inABLE’s Kang’aru Digital Hub. This hub, formerly known as Kairi Library, is part of the Our Reading Spaces program initiated in 2010. Recently refurbished into a modern digital library, it caters to hundreds of students and teachers from six nearby Kairi Village, Mang’u. This transformation, aimed at imparting digital skills and enhancing the overall reading culture, allows the hub to host up to 100 students simultaneously, a significant increase from its previous capacity of 15. 

Evelyn’s role at the hub is to train and empower learners, teachers, and youths within the Kairi community with digital skills. Her passion for imparting computer skills was ignited during her internship with the ICT Authority. 

“I was deployed in Homabay for the government’s Digital Literacy Program, where I audited the impact of the program on schools within Homabay County. I realized that most teachers were limited by their lack of IT skills. They couldn’t effectively use computers nor teach it well,” she says, revealing that this lack of skilled teachers inspired her to pursue computer education. Given our highly digital world, she emphasizes the need for more computer teachers and technical skills regardless of age. “Computer education gives me an opportunity to impact the world with digital skills.” 

As a woman in technology and education, Evelyn faces challenges, such as the lack of a female mentor. To overcome this, she has sought support and mentorship from men, which has been beneficial. She urges women in technology to stand up and serve as encouragement to others. 

Evelyn is inspired by the growing interest in digital skills among girls in the Kairi community. She reveals that they are training more girls and female teachers than boys and male teachers at the Kang’aru Digital Hub. 

As the Head of Training at the hub, she pioneered digital skills training that greatly impacted Kairi community learners. They’ve reached six schools with over 600 learners trained in seven months, including 535 during the November to December holiday, with 35 being learners with psychiatric disabilities. Currently, they have 477 learners and 12 teachers undergoing digital skills training. 

On International Women’s Day, Evelyn encourages women and girls aspiring to pursue careers in technology or education. “Technology isn’t just for boys and men, nor is it as daunting as believed,” she urges. 

Outlining initiatives for encouraging more women and girls in technology, Evelyn stresses mentorship, skills development, and promoting women as innovators and entrepreneurs. 

Looking ahead, Evelyn envisions a bright future for women and girls in technology. She emphasizes mentorship, skills development, leadership training, and flexible work hours in supporting and empowering women. 

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, Evelyn’s story reminds us of the incredible potential of women in driving change through technology and education. Let’s continue investing in women’s education and empowerment for a more inclusive and equitable future. 

Written by Lily Ronoh-Waweru and Evelyn Omollo