“This training has inspired me to become an ICT teacher so I can help others the way my facilitator helped me.” – Faima Subra, 16, Champswahili Juu village
February 12, 2025 – At WPDI, we believe that peacebuilding does not exclusively boil down to security-related activities—it includes equipping communities with a diverse array of skills that are needed to thrive in the modern world. ICT training plays a crucial role in our programs because digital literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment, education, and social progress. Through ICT training, we aim to provide children and young people with essential skills that will help them access better opportunities and navigate an increasingly digital world with confidence.
Building Digital Literacy for a Brighter Future
As part of our ongoing peacebuilding efforts in the Karamoja Sub-Region of Uganda, WPDI recently conducted an ICT training activity aimed at building the skills and knowledge of children in digital technology. The program introduced participants to computers, various applications, and essential digital tools. But the objective went beyond teaching them how to use a computer: it aimed to improve their reading, writing, and mathematical skills while also enhancing their social communication abilities.
Children were taught how to navigate a keyboard, format documents using word processors, insert tables and photos, and apply essential tools such as bold, italic, underline, and font size adjustments. They also learned how to save files on storage devices and differentiate between different types of computers, including laptops, desktops, and tablets. These foundational ICT skills will enhance their digital literacy and equip them with essential technical competencies, opening new career opportunities in the future.
Transforming Lives Through Technology
For many participants, this was their first experience with a computer, but by the end of the training, they had already gained confidence in their newfound abilities.
Lokee Eric, a 13-year-old from Kambizi village in Moroto district, declared: “I heard about WPDI’s program over the radio, and my parents encouraged me to join. Before this training, I had never used a computer, but now I can write a letter using Microsoft Word and understand how a keyboard works. I will return to school with so much knowledge, and I am grateful to WPDI for this opportunity.”
Faima Subra, a 16-year-old from Champswahili Juu village, shared a similar experience. “My mother told me about the program and took me to register. At first, I was nervous because I had never seen a laptop before. But now, I can create folders, write letters, and save my work on a desktop. This training has inspired me to become an ICT teacher so I can help others the way my facilitator helped me.”
The Power of ICT in Peacebuilding
By teaching children digital literacy, WPDI is not just giving them technological skills; we are fostering independence, and providing skills that will help improve their chances of finding employment, ensuring financial stability for their families and communities. These children now have the tools to communicate effectively, engage with the world, and build a better future for themselves and their communities.
At WPDI, we remain committed to bridging the digital divide and empowering young minds. Through initiatives like these, we continue to create pathways for peace, education, and sustainable development—one child at a time.
This program is made possible thanks to the financial support of a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous.