Help 1000 young entrepreneurs in Eswatini

The month of August has been both beautiful and fruitful, marked by the successful introduction of a new afternoon program: computer lessons for the Ezulwini Homework Club. As highlighted in our previous report, the goal of introducing computer lessons is to address the lack of access to essential resources among the youth. Digital literacy, in particular, is a critical tool that can help improve their current living conditions and open doors to future opportunities.

The objective of the program is to enhance digital literacy among young learners, equipping them with the necessary skills to actively participate in the growing digital economy. We envision these skills enabling the youth to start businesses or engage meaningfully in new digital spaces. 

The children have warmly embraced the new program and are already making significant progress. They have learned basic computer skills, including typing techniques and keyboard shortcuts, laying the foundation for more advanced lessons in the future.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the British High Commission in Eswatini for their generous donation of solar panels. This contribution has been pivotal in ensuring that the computer lessons run smoothly and sustainably by providing reliable power for the Homework Club’s computers.

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team, interns, and volunteers for their unwavering commitment and passion. Your hard work and belief in empowering the next generation have been instrumental in making this program a reality. Your efforts are truly inspiring, and together, we are making a positive impact in the lives of these young learners. 

The success of August sets the tone for even more growth and learning in the coming months. We look forward to further empowering the children with the knowledge and skills they need to shape a better future.

In light of the ongoing economic challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for digital inclusion has become increasingly critical, especially in Eswatini where only 47% of the population is connected online and internet access in primary schools is limited, with only 10% having such access. The digital economy presents vast opportunities for growth in e-commerce, education, and various service sectors. Eswatini faces significant barriers due to these challenges, coupled with a mere 1% annual growth rate in internet users.

Key Developments:

1. Expansion of the Youth Enterprise Program:

• Recognizing the importance of digital skills, All Out Africa Foundation has integrated digital literacy into the Youth Enterprise program. This expansion involves children from our Homework Club, an after-school initiative at two neighbourhood care points (NCPs), Ezulwini and Elangeni.
• The Homework Club supports 48 children, providing them with a safe space to complete their schoolwork and now, to gain essential computer skills.

2. Digital Skills Training:

• Our efforts to improve digital literacy are supported by solar panel installations at three NCPs namely Ezulwini, Nkanini and Elangeni NCP, donated by the British High Commission in Eswatini. These solar panels ensure a reliable power supply for our digital literacy programs.
• We have engaged two interns from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Lindo and Simphiwe, who are developing a comprehensive curriculum for the computer lessons. The curriculum will cover basic computer skills and introduce the children to artificial intelligence (AI).

3. Commencement of Computer Classes:

• The computer classes are scheduled to begin in July at Elangeni and Ezulwini NCPs. The curriculum will start with basic computer skills and gradually introduce more advanced topics, including AI.

Impact and Long-Term Goals:

The integration of digital skills training into our Youth Enterprise program aims to:

• Directly reduce youth unemployment by creating job opportunities and fostering entrepreneurship.
• Promote a culture of seeking enterprise opportunities, thereby reducing poverty and enhancing socio-economic well-being.
• Improve digital literacy among the youth, ensuring they are well-equipped to participate in the evolving digital economy.
• Contribute to greater peace and political stability by providing hope and reducing the potential for conflict and protest.

Acknowledgements:

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the British High Commission for their generous donation of solar panels, which has been pivotal in supporting our digital literacy initiative. We also thank our dedicated team, interns, and volunteers for their relentless efforts in making this program a reality.