NLab

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NLab: We code for change

Dar Es Salaam, TanzaniaDar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Year Founded:
2010
Organization type: 
nonprofit/ngo/citizen sector
Project Stage:
Scaling
Budget: 
$1,000 - $10,000
Website:
http://www.nlab.co.tz
Twitter: 
http://twitter.com/niwezeshelab
Facebook: 
https://www.facebook.com/NiwezesheLab
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Project Summary
Elevator Pitch

Concise Summary: Help us pitch this solution! Provide an explanation within 3-4 short sentences.

Nlab works to build an ICT competitive, creative and innovative young generation in Tanzania by introducing new ICT technologies and teaching coding to children of all abilities in Tanzania. We also organize coding festivals, holiday camps for children and mentor their innovations.

WHAT IF - Inspiration: Write one sentence that describes a way that your project dares to ask, "WHAT IF?"

What if your kid came up with a life changing digital solution that fights albino killings in Tanzania?
About Project

Problem: What problem is this project trying to address?

Children are not supported and motivated to realise their potential in ICT to create,innovate ,and build solutions to solve community's problems at a young age. In short children are not taught skills that they can use to create jobs even when they are still young and schooling. As a result there is a big challenge of unemployment among the youth who finishes standard seven or form four without any skills.

Solution: What is the proposed solution? Please be specific!

Nlab empowers children with coding and entrepreneurship skills both at their respective schools and our local lab to create a spark and promote early innovation in ICT and education for self reliance. We also provide incubation to children who are passionate and have potential project ideas, where they are supported from development stage to implementation stage. we have seen the necessity of teaching how to code as a career builder to children and youth. with technology, youth can achieve a skill, and with these skills, they can build up something awesome which can be a career and with a career, they can be change leaders.
Impact: How does it Work

Example: Walk us through a specific example(s) of how this solution makes a difference; include its primary activities.

Raymond is a 15 years boy at Jamuhuri secondary school in Dar Es Salaam, his dream was to study and get a good job though he dint even know what career to choose, a few months ago he joined NLab program in his school. He has finished developing his system "Rate My Teacher" a platform that invites students to rate their teachers service delivery . Through Nlab many youth will realize their potential and great capacity of innovation & self reliance to make Tanzania a better place at a young age. Most Students graduates without employable skills at universities , considering Raymond's state by the time he reaches college he will be more skilled enough even to out-compete his fellows for job opportunities.

Impact: What is the impact of the work to date? Also describe the projected future impact for the coming years.

NLab works with passionate kids and teens from private and public primary and secondary schools to help them improve their innovative minds, grades in computer classes, access quality post-school opportunities, build confidence and high self-esteem through computer education and Encourage the acquisition of knowledge through practice.

Spread Strategies: Moving forward, what are the main strategies for scaling impact?

So far my solution has impacted 375 students from 11 both secondary and primary public and private schools in Tanzania. Among these amazing students 20 of them have finished their national exams and based on their final result their performance in computer subject has increased. Again 30 of these students have started projects for helping their community. In long run we want to invest much in young people and produce more tech - entrepreneurship solving Environmental problems, Inequality, health etc.
Sustainability

Financial Sustainability Plan: What is this solution’s plan to ensure financial sustainability?

- Chargeable Training for students & Teachers - Chargeable training for corporate and organizations - Website designing, Hosting & Domain Registration - Computer Cleaning & Maintenance for corporate, organizations, government and individual. - Crowd funding Campaign for the equipped Mobile Lab (bus) - Donations

Marketplace: Who else is addressing the problem outlined here? How does the proposed project differ from these approaches?

Apps and Girls foundation is bridging the gender gap in ICT by empowering young girls through coding skills and entrepreneurship skills. we are not gender based organization. we are expanding into other regions while Apps and Girls is focused in Dar es salaam only.
Team

Founding Story

I am a social entrepreneur, passionate about developing and building children's potential to achieve their dreams for i believe in building sweet tomorrow. I graduated from Kampala International University back in 2010 and was employed as tutorial assistance in late 2010, and the same year is when i founded NiwezesheLab (NLab). While working at the university i was able to attend some trainings and workshop on social entrepreneurship. As a programmer i real sow a problem in our Educati0on system, using myself as an example i wanted to be the best programmer but how can a programmer start learning programming when he/she joins university? That's when i decided to start NLab.

Team

- Gabriel Germanus:- Trainer - Part Time, IT Teacher - Alfan Bundo:- Trainer - Part Time, IT Teacher - Habiba John :- Volunteer - Gloria Clement:- Volunteer - Winnie Godluv:- Volunteer - Adrehelm Mlowe:- Trainer - Full Time, -Programmer -Bernard Masese:- Advisor, Mentor - Board Member, Head of Computer Department -Wilhelm Oddo :- Founder, Trainer, Mentor - Board Member,
Background
Please confirm how you heard about the Unilever Awards:

Was introduced to it by Madhu Hewakapuge and inspired by Esther Marshall (standtall) founder @One Young World Bankok

Please confirm your role in the initiative (eg Founder/co-Founder) and your organisational title:

Founder, NLab

Which of the 8 UN Global Goals (Sustainable Development Goals) pre-selected for this competition does your solution relate most closely to? [select all that apply]

Gender Equality, Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Leadership and the Unilever Awards
Please provide examples of any previous entrepreneurial initiatives you have pioneered.

- I co-founded Bribed, an app for helping drivers around the word to know the average price of bribe they can pay. We are fighting corruption in a twisted way.
- I am developing a mobile and web based application for improvement of pregnancy care,
maternal, newborn and child health in Tanzania

Beyond your existing team, who else are you working with to achieve your objectives, eg partners, advisors, mentors?

- Teachers in 11 schools
- STEM Rockies
- Gunda Foundation
- Kampala International University - Computer Department
- Apps and Girls Foundation
-Buni Hub

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