Donated PCs become African multimedia centres

(Photo credit: Glenn Edwards)

At the other end of the scale from Shangilia, is Nairobi School — one of the highest-performing and best-funded public schools in Kenya. But wealth is relative and, although the school can afford to buy some new computers, it still relies on the donated PCs sourced by CFSK.

Two computer labs provide around 120 machines to the school's 1,000 or more students. One lab even has internet access — a rare commodity in Kenyan schools. Given the lack of infrastructure, however, internet access can only be achieved by wireless communications — in this case, 3G. Around 20 machines can be supported by one 3G connection for around £130 a month, which is still expensive by Kenyan standards but cheaper than the proprietary wireless connection the school used previously.

Such is the ubiquity of mobile technology in Kenya that mobile access is not an alternative access mechanism, as in the UK, but rather the only option available. However, prices are dropping and connections are improving, which has caused some experts to claim that African countries such as Kenya may even leapfrog more developed nations when it comes to realising the potential of wireless technology.