Kenyan Teen Aims to Establish Software Development School

Kenyan Teen to Establish Software Development School

interview

When computer programmer Martha Chumo, 19, failed to qualify for a visa to attend an information technology school in New York this summer, she decided to transform that setback into an opportunity to start an unconventional school in Nairobi that specialises in software programming.

She is now spearheading a campaign to raise seed money for establishing the Nairobi Dev School in Kenya. Her goal is to nurture software developers in the region.

Sabahi: Tell us about yourself.

Martha Chumo: My story began two and half months ago when I turned down computer science training at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) because I wanted to attend the Hacker School in New York for a three-month training course in programming.

I ran a campaign on Indiegogo to raise the funds to pay for my [room and board and travel expenses] and it was a success, but I did not meet the qualifications to be issued a US tourist visa and was therefore unable to travel. But this did not kill my quest to become the best programmer.

Before receiving the JKUAT admission letter, I started teaching myself about programming using online resources, and the more I read about programming, the more I became obsessed with it and coding became so simple for me.

I am now planning to start a school in Nairobi to give myself and numerous young East Africans a chance to learn, improve their programming skills, and create awesome technology for Africa.

Sabahi: In Kenya and most other African countries, technical fields like engineering and programming are traditionally a preserve for men. How did you get involved?

Chumo: When I finished high school, I had an ambition to join a medical school, like other girls who get top grades. But [the Joint Admissions Board] selected me for computer science, and after months of teaching myself I became very interested in the software development world.

I want to challenge the notion that [technology] is a preserve of men. I believe women can do it too, and I want to be a person who will inspire other girls into such fields.

Sabahi: How are you raising funds for this school?

Chumo: Through my online network. I launched a massive campaign to seek funds for the premise for the school, as well as pay for stipends for students who will enrol.

So far, the response has been overwhelming: over five software development trainers from Europe and other parts of the world have accepted to come and teach the pioneer class.

Surprisingly, they will offer their services for free and cater for their own expenses during their stay. Big brands in the informational technology sector, which I cannot identify at this moment, have also pledged to provide assistance for infrastructure and other costs.

I plan to accept our first students in August this year. Given the support [I have received] so far, I am confident this will come to pass.

I have already raised more than a half a million Kenyan shillings ($5,800) from a previous fundraiser intended to pay for my travelling costs abroad. With that, I can start the school as I wait for more funds to keep it running.

Sabahi: What are your plans for the Nairobi Dev School?

Chumo: It will not be a structured school with a curriculum or syllabus. It will take in young innovative Kenyans with great ideas. Those who will enrol will be individuals who have shown interest in identifying problems and creating applications to solve them.

For example, Kenya is currently blamed for wasting food; millions die of hunger as others cook more food than they need, dumping the leftovers. Someone with an idea on how to come up with an application to minimise this wastage would be an ideal student for the Dev School.

We will also concentrate on encouraging girls to join so we can help bridge the gender imbalance in the sector. The ultimate goal for the school is to create Kenyan solutions to serve Kenyan needs, to create jobs for young people and wealth for the nation.

Anyone who applies will attend the school for three months for free. This is the same experience I was going to get at Hacker School, and I want others to enjoy the same here.

Sabahi: What are some of the challenges young developers face in Kenya?
Chumo: The first challenge is poverty and expensive internet. Even though we have two submarine cables, which are supposed to bring down the cost of internet, charges are still high. Developers my age with no money cannot afford it; therefore they are unable to practice and develop their applications. It is high time government subsidised the cost of internet to spur growth in this sector.

The second notorious problem is Kenya's unreliable power supply. Kenya is known for power outages, which is not good for this sector. Alternate powers sources such as solar energy should be encouraged by the government.