Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) has today reopened the newly renovated Fursa Lab at Kijitonyama Secondary School, reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to digital education, innovation and technology skills among young people.
Since its establishment in 2020, the Fursa Lab has benefited more than 5,800 people, including students, teachers, out-of-school youth, entrepreneurs and women.
The Lab has
also provided Standard Seven pupils, Form Four and Form Six leavers, and
university graduates with access to digital skills, business training,
innovation and learning opportunities.
Speaking during the
reopening ceremony, Airtel Africa Foundation Head of Programmes, Esi Prah, said
the Foundation remains committed to empowering young people by creating
opportunities for them to acquire practical digital skills and use technology
to develop solutions to challenges in their communities.
“We believe that access to technology and digital education can transform the lives of young people by giving them the knowledge, confidence and skills they need to create solutions and participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
Through Fursa Lab, we are
creating an environment where young people can learn, experiment, innovate and
turn their ideas into impact,” said Prah.
The Fursa Lab has
strengthened teaching and practical learning in Computer Science, Programming,
Business, Life Skills, Food and Human Nutrition, Sewing and Design. It has also
expanded access to ShuleDirect, the TIE Library and WazoLearn including AI-supported learning.
The facility has also
become a platform for nurturing young innovators and digital leaders. The
school says the project has supported the development of UNICEF Ambassadors,
Plan International Ambassadors, Oky innovators, digital artists and STEM
innovators, including students involved in developing a girls’ period-tracking
application.
Speaking on the side
of Airtel Tanzania, Director of Corporate Communications and
Regulatory Affairs, Beatrice Singano said the lab is part of the company’s
strategy to expand access to digital learning opportunities for young people
across Tanzania.
“The reopening of the
Fursa Lab reflects our commitment to ensuring that young Tanzanians have access
to the tools, knowledge and opportunities they need to thrive in a digital
world. Through our partnerships, Airtel has now supported more than five schools
and we will continue working with our partners to reach more young people and
communities,” said Singano.
For Kijitonyama Secondary
School Headmistress, Madam Halima Juma, the Fursa Lab has become an important
part of the school’s academic and innovation journey.
“We are truly grateful for this investment in our teachers, learners and the wider community. Since 2020, the Fursa Lab has enabled our students and teachers to access digital skills, practical learning and innovation opportunities.
It has also opened the
school to learners from outside our community, giving thousands of young people
access to knowledge and digital learning,” said Madam Juma.
She added that the facility has contributed to improved learning in ICT and supported students in developing innovative solutions to community challenges.
The school has also
ranked 10th nationally in ICT for three consecutive years and its students have
won three awards in Girls in ICT.
One of the students who has benefited from the facility is Angel Swai, an innovator behind an AI-supported traffic light solution.
Speaking about her experience, Angel said
the Fursa Lab had given her an opportunity to move beyond classroom theory and
use technology to develop practical solutions.
“The Fursa Lab has given
me a space to learn, experiment and turn my ideas into something practical.
Through the skills and resources available here, I have been able to explore
how technology and AI can be used to address real challenges in our communities.
My innovation is an example of what young people can achieve when they are
given access to the right tools and opportunities,” said Angel.
The school has expressed its appreciation to Airtel Africa Foundation, Airtel Money, Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi) and the Government of Tanzania for supporting the Fursa Lab project and contributing to digital learning opportunities for students, teachers and the wider community.
