Hi Paul, Thanks for sharing. Truly there is a lot going on. There is definitely a need for mentorship at all levels and the issue is being addressed in various way by a multiplicity of actors. I guess and what I keep hearing, is that there are not enough experienced individuals willing to sacrifice/contribute some of their personal time towards adopting and mentoring some of these brilliant young people. Let us keep in mind that mentorship is not 1 hour talking at/down to a group of techies, but is actually a much deeper engagement, on a personal level - where the mentor makes themselves available to the mentee(s) for guidance, advice, support, counselling etc... I have 3 such guys with whom I have developed a relationship over the past 4 years and I can tell you that there is nothing a fulfilling as seeing them grow from strength to strength. Best regards, Brian On Sun, Jun 3, 2012 at 5:26 PM, Paul Kukubo <pkukubo@ict.go.ke> wrote:
As I write this the Kenya Red Cross is organizing the tech event dubbed Random Hacks of Kindness. Developers from all over Kenya are presenting ideas on using technology in humanitarian situations. Taking place at Keny Red Cross offices.
Dr Ndemo opening the judging session emphasized the need for developers to think commercially in order for them to have the incentive to stay the course. Most applications are very socially oriented, perhaps representing our social reality.
What's amazing is the fact that these hackathons and developer forums are becoming an increasing aspect of youth culture in universities and colleges. Remember most developers ago are say 19 years old now were 14 years old when the undersea cable discussions started. What is evident is that these developers need a lot of mentoring and this where we can all come in. The issue of mentoring needs a broad discussion.
It was fresh to see a whole new bunch of techies with a different perspective. At this stage the developer community is doing what it can. Many of them worked the weekend to prepare. Once this becomes part of the youth culture, even for a few, opportunity is created.
This is kind of techie week in Kenya with Nokia Summit last week, the 4c challenge meeting last Friday, the pivot east and the outsourcing summit this week starting tomorrow.
Although the judging is still under way, I must say a Sunday afternoon well spent.
Paul Kukubo
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