The Magadi Area of Kenya is a sparsely populated and inhabited by the Maasai group who are mainly pastoralists with some limited farming in Nguruman area. The area has limited communication, poor marketing of livestock and farm produce due to lack of information. To improve the livelihoods of farmers and pastoralists, the E -Centers will address these problems by providing information about markets, prices of goods, streamline communication between buyers and sellers, and in general encourage the use of modern technologies in this community.Project Activities
a) In liaison with local experts, lead the training in Renewable Energy (RE), Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Community Development (CD) and Enterprise Development (ED) of these youths.
b) Purchase and install Solar Energy Systems to energize the 5 E-Centers through a private company
c) Through a private company purchase and install radio telephony systems to make the 5 E-Centers internet ready
d) Backstop with the youth groups, and the community at large in the setting up and running of 5 E-Centers
e) Carry out community mobilization and sensitization on renewable energies and the role of information and communication technologies in rural development
The area covered by the 5 E-Centers has a population of 21,000 peoples. By end of 2003, about 10,000 people have visited the Centers. On average 1235 visit the Centers per month to use one or more services.