Wikimedia Kenya/Project for Kenyan Schools

Background

After some discussions with the members of the Wikimedia Kenya Chapter, we decided to come up with a framework of what we want to achieve in the foreseeable future.

We decided to target the low-end niche of the digital divide in Kenya; that is, to say, those who do not or cannot afford internet access. Therefore, we’ll be using offline versions of Wikipedia. The target group is mainly students at primary and secondary schools. Most, if not all, of these schools, have access to computers.

This project aims to bring access to educational information to Kenya's students and teachers through the installation of offline Wikipedia in schools throughout Kenya.

Timeline

Probable start date: January 2011 Official Launch: 14 January 2011 (Wikipedia's Anniversary) End date: Unknown

Below is a map of Kenya. Once we get the list from the ICT board (the ICT list contains schools in Kenya that have computer labs), we’ll be able to plot the number of schools that we intend to approach, on a provincial basis. I think that this will give us a pictorial representation of what we want to do.

The Team

Abbas Mahmoud
David Mugo
Grace Kariuki
Limoke Oscar
Dennis Munene
Wangai Mwangi
Sarah Osano
Alex Wafula
Oliver Stegen
Samson Maosa
Ann Njeri
Branton Obwari
Isaac K. Kosgei
Stephen W. Wanjau

Methodology

The project shall embark on a pilot for 5 weeks beginning January 2010 before going countrywide.
The regions covered in the pilot are as follows:(Note: an estimated 10 schools will be covered in each region)

Mombasa
Nakuru
Laikipia
Kakamega
Meru
Kericho
Eldamaravin
Nairobi
Vihiga
Kisii.

Install and configure the offline Wikipedia on the computers.
Two tutorials on how to use Wikipedia will be held at each school: one for the students; and another for teachers.
Reporting: Upon successful completion, the principal will be required to approve/sign documentation confirming that this project has been undertaken in his/her school. Pictures shall also be taken and filed together with the certificates of completion.
By the 3rd week of February 2010, the team shall assess the outcome of the pilot. Assessment will include the setbacks incurred, the successes, and other observations made during the pilot.
A report of the pilot shall be sent to the Ministry of Education, Wikimedia Foundation, and any other interested parties.
Thereafter, the team shall conduct this project on a countrywide basis.

Expenses

Accommodation. - We should perhaps consider subsidizing the cost of accommodation as each of us will be in his/her hometown when undertaking this project. However, accommodation costs will be incurred for regions such as North Eastern because we don’t have anyone on our team who resides there.
Transportation and logistics.
Food
Stationery (see below)

Note: We can’t estimate the above costs as they are dependent on the total number of schools that we intend to approach. It is therefore paramount for us to get that list for budgetary purposes.

Stationery

Storage devices e.g. CDs + flashdisks
Projectors, assuming that we'll be making presentations at schools as well
Wikimedia merchandise
Cameras*
Printers*
laptop computers?perhaps for our own presentations?each one of us can acquire or perhaps we will hire?

(*) I suppose we’ll need cameras and a printer to for recording and reporting purposes. Abbas has a printer, though it doesn’t have a cartridge.

Funding & Support

Wikimedia Foundation
Wikimedia UK (probably)
Ministry of Education (maybe)
Others*

(*) I have been given some contacts that I can’t approach for funding at the moment unless I have an organised proposal.

Disclaimer

There exists a high degree of uncertainty, surrounding the cost and the precise nature that this is a project of high magnitude (countrywide).