When Kenya restructured its academic calendar in 2021, high school students suddenly found themselves with extended breaks—time that could either be spent idle or transformed into something extraordinary. The Enkare Oltau Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and American Spaces Nairobi, chose transformation.
What began as a pilot program in 2022 has blossomed into a life-changing initiative that’s equipping Kenya’s youth with the digital skills they need to thrive in our rapidly evolving world.
The Challenge We’re Addressing
Picture this: Talented, curious young minds eager to learn, but without access to the tools that could unlock their potential. Across Kenya, countless high school students dream of careers in technology and innovation, yet face a stark reality:
- Limited access to modern computers and technological equipment
- No exposure to emerging fields like robotics, web development, or 3D design
- Few opportunities to develop the digital literacy skills demanded by 21st-century employers
- Scarce resources for hands-on STEM education in underserved communities
This digital skills gap isn’t just about technology—it’s about opportunity, economic mobility, and the future of an entire generation.
The STEAM Camps: Where Learning Comes Alive
Over the past three years, our 10-day intensive bootcamps have become incubators of innovation and creativity. Students aged 11-19 from Nairobi and surrounding communities dive deep into cutting-edge technology through:
Web Development
Students learn to build real websites using HTML, CSS, Flexbox, and Grid—transforming from digital consumers to digital creators. They leave camp with portfolios showcasing functional, beautiful web pages they’ve coded themselves.
Robotics and Arduino
Imagine the spark in a student’s eyes when the robot they’ve built and programmed comes to life. Through hands-on Arduino training, students master circuitry, sensor integration, and coding—learning that technology isn’t magic, it’s something they can create.
3D Animation and Printing
Using professional tools like Vectary and Blender, students design characters and environments, then watch their digital creations materialize through 3D printing. They’re not just learning software—they’re becoming digital artists and engineers.
Cybersecurity Awareness
In our connected world, safety matters. Students learn essential cybersecurity basics and safe online practices, becoming responsible digital citizens.
Mental Fitness and Life Skills
Technology skills alone aren’t enough. Our Mental Fitness sessions help students develop self-awareness, resilience, peer support networks, and the emotional intelligence needed to navigate life’s challenges.
Career Exposure
Through site visits to tech hubs and sessions with industry experts, students see firsthand where their new skills can take them. They don’t just learn—they envision their futures.
Real Impact, Real Results
By December 2024, over 40 high school students had successfully completed our program, demonstrating remarkable growth in:
- Programming fundamentals and computational thinking
- Creative problem-solving and innovation
- Collaboration and communication
- Confidence in using digital tools
- Interest in pursuing STEAM careers
But numbers only tell part of the story. The real magic happens when a student who’s never touched a computer codes their first website, or when a young person from an underserved community realizes they have what it takes to become a software developer, robotics engineer, or digital designer.
Our Vision for the Future
We’re not stopping at 40 students. Our ambitious 12-month expansion plan aims to reach over 100 high school students across three intensive camp sessions. But to make this vision a reality, we need:
- Modern equipment: Laptops, robotics kits, and 3D printers that give students hands-on experience with professional tools
- Expert facilitators: Fair compensation and professional development for the 10+ coding, robotics, and mental wellness experts who make magic happen
- Student support: Scholarships, transportation, meals, and materials so that financial barriers don’t block talented students
- Sustainable infrastructure: Internet upgrades, technology maintenance, and program monitoring systems
- Long-term engagement: Alumni networks and mentorship programs that keep students connected and growing
Why This Matters Now
The digital economy waits for no one. Every day that passes without these skills is a day of lost opportunity for Kenya’s youth. But here’s the beautiful truth: your support can change that.
When you invest in the American Spaces STEAM Camps, you’re not just donating to a program—you’re:
✓ Opening doors that were previously locked
✓ Leveling the playing field for underserved communities
✓ Nurturing the innovators who will solve tomorrow’s challenges
✓ Building a pipeline of tech talent for Kenya’s growing digital economy
✓ Empowering young people to lift themselves, their families, and their communities
Meet Your Impact
$50 provides materials and meals for one student during camp
$150 covers transportation and scholarship support for an underserved student
$500 helps procure essential equipment like Arduino kits or software licenses
$1,000 supports facilitator training and compensation for quality instruction
$2,500 equips a mobile STEAM lab to reach remote communities
Every contribution, regardless of size, brings us closer to our goal of empowering 100+ students in the coming year.
Join the Movement
The students in our camps aren’t just learning to code—they’re learning that their circumstances don’t define their potential. They’re discovering that with the right tools, support, and training, they can build anything they imagine.
But we can’t do this alone.
Here’s How You Can Help:
🌟 Donate Today: Visit [donation link] to make a tax-deductible contribution
🌟 Become a Monthly Partner: Sustainable support helps us plan and grow
🌟 Sponsor a Student: Cover the full cost of one student’s transformative experience
🌟 Corporate Partnership: Engage your organization in meaningful CSR impact
🌟 Spread the Word: Share this post and help us reach more supporters
🌟 Volunteer Your Expertise: Tech professionals can join as guest speakers or mentors
The Time Is Now
In 2022, we started with a bold idea and a handful of students. Today, we’re proving that when you invest in youth, remove barriers to learning, and provide world-class STEAM education, transformation happens.
But there are hundreds more students waiting—young people with potential as vast as their dreams, who simply need someone to believe in them and give them a chance.
Will you be that someone?
Together, we can bridge the digital divide. Together, we can empower the innovators, creators, and problem-solvers who will shape Kenya’s future.
Donate today and become part of a student’s success story.
“The students we teach today are the tech leaders of tomorrow. Your generosity makes their journey possible.”
The Enkare Oltau Foundation, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and American Spaces Nairobi, is committed to transparency and impact. For questions about donations, partnerships, or program details, contact us at info@enkarefoundation.org.
