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Category: Training

School Outreach program – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

“Upatilize udongo ungali maji” – Mould the clay while is still wet. As the saying goes, with the mission to support the journey towards a cleaner and a greener Lamu county, we need to inspire children to care for the environment. Through the plastic recycling project, our in-school workshop sessions aimed to teach kids aged 8 to 14 on proper plastic waste management practices and advocating with their peers to do the same. The program had engaged 60 students from different schools in Lamu Island, Mokowe and Hindi empowering them on the principles of reducing, reusing, repurposing and recycling to facilitate eco- friendly habits and behaviors. The workshops involved disseminating on plastic waste, storytelling, Power-point presentations and practical ‘Do-it-Yourself’ sessions to give them a hands-on experience on proper ways to upcycling techniques. They were able to make useful things like bird feeders, playing toys and pencil holders.   By showing learners how they can make a difference, we help them become eco- friendly leaders. During the final part of the workshop sessions, each group managed to creatively draw persuasive artistic illustrations with localized messages on plastic waste management. Together, we can change the future and through empowerment, the young can contribute in the journey to create a better environment for Lamu county and beyond. 

Plastic waste collection and Environmental Cleanup

The menace of plastic pollution poses a significant threat to both environmental sustainability and human health worldwide. Recognizing the urgency in addressing this issue, I.O.Me005 conducted several plastic waste collection campaigns and community cleanups with a hashtag, “Plastic trash is cash”  in collaboration with the Kenya Red Cross volunteers, community members, and Flipflopi foundation.   Effective community engagement served as the cornerstone of our plastic waste collection program. To ensure maximum participation and awareness, we had devised an advertising campaign utilizing the megaphones broadcasting the message in the local language about the upcoming collection drives and cleanups and the vital role each individual plays in contributing to a cleaner environment. Through this approach, we sought also to sensitize and mobilize the community members to actively participate in the initiative and be part of the change.  Local residents and community leaders came together to advocate and embraced an opportunity to effect tangible change in their surroundings. Enthusiastically participants sold their collected hard plastics to recyclers reflecting their dedication to the cause. For the two days, we managed to collect over 1.375tonnes of plastic waste in Hindi and Mokowe villages.     Consequently, we continued the campaign and conducted several other approaches by conducting beach, market and town clean ups in the various parts of the Lamu county. We collected over 0.4tonnes along the Wiyoni beach, over 3 tonnes on the several villages of Lamu Island, 2 tonnes in Hindi town, 0.4tonnes in Mokowe village and 0.5 tonnes in Mpeketoni village.    The collection process was not merely about picking up trash; it was about empowering the community to take ownership of their environment. By involving them in every step of the process, from collection to transportation, we instilled a sense of pride and responsibility. Each kilogram of plastic collected symbolized a collective effort towards a sustainable future. Streets that were once marred by litter were gradually transformed into zones of collective effort and environmental consciousness. The sight of community members diligently collecting plastic waste served as a reminder of the transformative power of grassroots initiatives and seeing opportunities out of the menace of plastic pollution. 

World IP Day 2024

Innovators and entrepreneurs met at the IOME001 Social Innovation Centre to commemorate World Intellectual Property Day on the 26th of April, with an enlightening workshop focused on intellectual property matters.  The attendees were introduced to various types of intellectual property, including copyrights, trademarks, and technovation, and explored the processes and prerequisites for acquiring these protections. The workshop provided a comprehensive overview of intellectual property, highlighting its importance in protecting creative and innovative works. Participants learned about the different types of intellectual property and their specific applications, such as how copyrights safeguard original works of authorship, trademarks protect brand identity, and technovation encourages technological advancements. In addition to theoretical knowledge, the workshop included practical sessions where participants could engage in discussions and case studies, helping them understand the real-world implications of intellectual property rights. The concept of open source hardware and software solutions was also discussed. This year’s theme was “Building a Common Future with Innovation and Creativity”  

Digital Microscopy Workshop

Facilitated by researchers from TU Delft, the IOME001 Lab hosted a workshop on digital microscopy. The event attracted 13 participants who delved into the fascinating world of optics and microscopy. Throughout the workshop, attendees explored various types of lenses, gaining insight into their specific functions and effects on microscopic imaging. The hands-on assembly of digital optics rigs provided a practical understanding of the science of light and its critical role in microscopy. The interactive nature of the workshop fostered a deeper understanding for the principles of light manipulation and image formation. In addition to technical training, the workshop emphasized the importance of product design in the development of digital microscopy tools. Participants engaged in discussions on how innovative design can improve functionality and usability during their project development.

Innovation Bootcamp in Garissa County

In partnership with Yong Muslim Association, A STEM Workshop was held in Garissa, an initiative dedicated to empowering students across various educational levels, encompassing Young Muslim Girls High School, junior secondary, Young Muslims Academy(YMA) and Young Muslim Children’s home(YMCH). The two day workshop that took place on the 7th and 8th of February 2024 aimed to provide engaging and educational sessions that would ignite a passion for STEM among participating learners. The workshop activities included: Hands-on Electronic DIY projects Exploration of Scratch Coding and Robotics 3D modeling and printing Gamification techniques through Airbus Foundation. A community visit was also planned to deepen the team’s understanding of the communities where the students come from. This visit involved interacting with locals to identify their needs and gaps for potential future engagement.

Digital Storytelling and Reflective Practice

In today’s fast-paced world, an online presence is essential for success in creative business. This is especially true for those who want to reach new clients and audiences through the internet.   IOMe005 recently conducted a seven-week program that trained participants to create their personal documentation websites. The program formed four teams that were assigned to design, document, and create learning kits for children with different challenges, including physical disabilities, hyposensitivity, cerebral palsy, and autism. The 41 participants worked on their websites while learning valuable lessons about team dynamics and how to overcome challenges while working in teams.  Through the training program, learners take photos and record videos of the process while working on projects. After working on certain tasks, learners are encouraged to reflect and write down their experiences. This type of documentation is critical in identifying learning gaps for individual participants and planning to address those gaps. Skills such as design, digital fabrication, photography, drawing and painting, and sculpture can all be documented using this approach.  In conclusion, the digital storytelling and reflective practice training program provides participants with valuable skills that can help them succeed in the creative business world. The program enables learners to document their experiences and showcase their skills to potential employers and customers, while also identifying areas where they can improve. Overall, this program is an excellent opportunity for anyone looking to enhance their digital skills and showcase their creativity. 

Ajira Digital Training, Data Entry & Data management Module

The Ajira Digital Training Program recently conducted a Data Entry and Data Management Module training session on the 16th and 17th of March 2023 at the IOMe005 Innovation Lab. The training was conducted by eMobilis and aimed to equip 43 young people from Hindi with the skills and knowledge required to excel in online work.   The program began by introducing participants to the benefits of online work, tips for success, job categories available, payment methods, and how to create winning proposals. Participants were also taught the importance of data management in today’s world and gained a comprehensive understanding of key terms such as annotations and cleaning processes. These skills are essential for working in job roles such as data processors or analysts, making the training relevant and valuable for the participants’ future careers.   Furthermore, the program introduced various platforms that facilitate streamlined practices when dealing with clients, which will help the participants to work more efficiently and effectively.   In addition to developing core competencies, the training also covered cross-cutting topics such as soft skills and image editing skills.   In conclusion, the Ajira Digital Training Program’s Data Entry and Data Management Module training session was a valuable opportunity for young people from Hindi to gain the skills and knowledge required to succeed in online work. The program’s comprehensive approach, covering core competencies, cross-cutting topics, and practical applications, ensured that participants left the training better equipped for the challenges and opportunities of online work.       Data Entry & Data Management Physical Mentorship  Following a two-day introduction to the Ajira training module at IOMe005 Innovation Lab on the 16th and 17th, participants were enrolled in a long-term mentorship program. This program paired mentees with mentors to provide more in-depth training on the module’s content.  The physical mentorship program took place on the 29th and 30th of March 2023 at the Lab. During the program, participants were introduced to the roles of mentors and mentees, best practices for mentorship sessions, netiquette skills, and platforms for submitting mentorship assignments.   It is important to note that all participants will be required to complete the mentorship program virtually. This approach ensures that participants continue to benefit from the program’s content, despite being unable to meet in person. The virtual aspect of the program also provides an opportunity for participants to develop skills in remote collaboration and communication, which are valuable skills in today’s digital age.   Overall, the mentorship program is an excellent opportunity for participants to build on the knowledge and skills gained during the initial training. The program’s emphasis on best practices, netiquette skills, and virtual collaboration will equip participants with valuable skills for their future careers in online work.             

ESO Digitalization Training

The Association of Startup and SMEs Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK) is actively promoting networking among its members to become the driving force for entrepreneurial economic breakthroughs in Kenya. As a member of ASSEK, I.O.Me254 participated in a digitalization training ON aimed at capacity-building entrepreneur support organizations (ESOs) to enhance their service delivery through digitization of their systems and processes.  The training covered various thematic areas, including Digital Business Model and Strategy, Digital Finance Management and Strategy, Digital Marketing Leadership and Strategy, Digitization of M&E, and Digital Fundraising. The ESO leaders were encouraged to develop a working business model canvas through a deeper understanding of their target customer segment using a human-centred design approach.  Digitalization of ESO processes was highly encouraged, and this included financial management. ESO leaders were urged to invest in financial management tools and not just accounting tools. Various common financial tools were discussed, ranging from Microsoft Excel to more comprehensive tools such as Xero and SAP B1.  Digital marketing was also covered in detail, and the main objectives of investing in digital marketing for ESOs were highlighted.   In conclusion, the digital transformation of ESOs is no longer an option but a necessary step to be taken. The initial investment can be relatively high but when done appropriately, return on investment is guaranteed. Strategic partnerships can be a cost-effective approach to steadily build towards digital transformation and growth of these organizations. ASSEK’s digitalization training provides a comprehensive guide for ESOs to enhance their service delivery through the digitization of their systems and processes. 

Fabrication of Wooden Certificates

When one receives an award or a gift, it makes them feel that their work is valued and that their employer is fully aware of their individual as well as team efforts and accomplishments That’s what Trufoods were looking to achieve and we stepped in to make it happen through a unique way of presenting certificates of dedication for the team. From a draft certificate design they had prepared, we analyzed it and brainstormed on how to recreate it uniquely and innovatively. A team of Innovators and staff came up with an idea of a digitally fabricated wooden certificate inspired by one of our innovators, Mohamed Arafat’s wall decorative piece. A rapid design and prototyping was done on 3mm plywood to illustrate the idea to the customer using a Laser Engraving Machine. The Final product was to be made using a composition of different types of wood – Mvule and Ebony (Mkulu) as well as some metallic rings. The production process started with cutting the main body certificate from the mvule on CNC Machine, then fitting in the Mkulu & brass rings. As is the norm at the lab, the finishing process of any product is a communal bonding moment for everyone where music, dancing, and jokes are always served in unregulated proportions. A total of 41 Certificates were produced. The Certificated are also supplied with stands that make them easy to be strategically placed on one’s desk.    

Audio-Visual and Social Media Training

A 4-day training on Audio-Visual and Social Media that was held at I.O.Me001 Innovation Hub. The training was facilitated by Switch Media and was organized by the French Solidarity Fund Project Initiative (FSPI).  A total of 33 youths and women from Mombasa and Lamu counties who had an interest in videography, audio-visual, content creation and media participated in the training. Participants learned about script writing, including the structure of an effective script with an intro, body, and conclusion. They were introduced to concept development, writing to the picture, and the importance of considering the target audience’s demographics when determining the language of the script.     The participants also learned about different types of filming equipment and techniques such as shot composition, camera movement, and video editing. The aspect ratios for various online platforms and the importance of shot selection (long shots, medium shots, close-up shots) were also discussed. Finally, the training covered the benefits of having a professional Facebook page and how to effectively utilize it.

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