1.0 Project Overview
On Saturday, October 19, 2024, Tech Herfrica, a social impact organization dedicated to empowering rural African women, launched a digital literacy and entrepreneurship skills training in Kurmin Tagwaye Community, Akwanga Local Government Area, Nasarawa State. This initiative, part of the Chat for Women’s Livelihood Accelerator program developed in collaboration with Turn.io and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed to equip 50 women with essential digital skills.
Due to the diverse range of mobile devices among participants, the training was customized to accommodate two groups of women; 30 women with WhatsApp-enabled devices took the training, while 20 women with feature-rich phones received training tailored to their specific device capabilities.
1.1 Training Focus
The training included a comprehensive training session to equip women with essential skills, covering topics such as:
- Introduction to technology
- Benefits of the digital world
- Entrepreneurship skills and Bookkeeping
- Effective smartphone usage
- Creating email accounts
- Leveraging social media for business
- Online safety
- Google search techniques
1.2 Training Delivery
The training was conducted in Pidgin and Hausa, and was delivered in two formats to ensure accessibility for all participants:
- WhatsApp Chat Service: 30 women participated via Tech Herfrica’s WhatsApp based training. This format allowed them to learn directly on their mobile devices, facilitating hands-on practice with digital tools.
- Community-led Sessions: A staff of Tech Herfrica supported by a local community leader conducted sessions using a projector for 20 women without direct access to a smartphone. This enabled group learning on the chat service using a single device and watching the courses via a projector, making the content accessible to everyone.
2.0 Program Outcomes
The training achieved significant results:
- Increased Awareness: 40 out of 50 participants reported learning to leverage technology for income and business growth.
- Enhanced Online Learning: Online learning participation rose by 80% from 10 to all 50 participants.
- Improved Social Media Skills: 100% of participants reported enhanced knowledge of using WhatsApp and Facebook for business.
- Improved Email Proficiency: Proficiency increased from 5 participants to 95% successfully creating accounts.
- Boosted Confidence in Google Search: Confidence in using Google Search increased by 80%.
- Economic Empowerment: 42 out of 50 participants gained confidence in using phones to generate income.
- Improved Entrepreneurial Skills: All participants reported a greater understanding of entrepreneurship.
- Enhanced Financial Management: 100% understood bookkeeping for business success.
3.0 Lessons Learned
- Community Engagement is Essential
Early engagement with community leaders and groups was crucial for building trust, ensuring high turnout, and fostering a sense of ownership among participants. To enhance participation and impact, future trainings will aim for increased pre-event outreach and collaboration with community influencers.
- Hands-On Training Drives Learning
A hands-on, practical training approach boosted participants’ confidence and skills retention. Real-time activities, like setting up email accounts and sending WhatsApp voice notes, proved more effective than theoretical learning. Future programs should prioritize interactive and practice-based sessions.
- Tailored Content Increases Relevance
Content tailored to participants’ needs (e.g., social media for business) ensured relevance and applicability. Future initiatives will continue to adapt content to unique target audience needs.
4.0 Sustainability Strategy
To ensure the program’s lasting impact, Tech Herfrica plans to:
- Adapt to Diverse Communities: Tailor training to regional needs, considering cultural, language, and economic differences.
- Build Strategic Partnerships: Collaborate with local organizations, NGOs, and government agencies to expand reach.
- Empower Local Champions: Train local facilitators to sustain program delivery and ensure continuity.
- Measure Impact: Implement a monitoring and evaluation system to track key performance indicators and improve program effectiveness.
- Update Learning Opportunities: Conduct regular virtual training on growing a business online to build a supportive community.
5.0 Conclusion
This digital literacy training successfully empowered women in the Kurmin Tagwaye community by enhancing their digital and entrepreneurial skills. Tech Herfrica’s commitment to a sustainable, community-centered approach ensures the program’s continued success, paving the way for countless women to achieve economic independence through technology.