Are there any users of the RACHEL in South Sudan that have any learnings or insights to share? And any organisations or individuals locally that can support with training and troubleshooting?
Thank you!
Subject: Insights from RACHEL Implementation in Akobo, South Sudan
To the RACHEL User Community / Interested Partners,
I am writing to share my experience and insights as a former employee of Digital Innovation Technology, where I served as a Lab Assistant for the Digital Literacy and Numeracy Centers in Akobo. Our project, funded by the NRC (Norwegian Refugee Council), utilized the RACHEL grant to drive a massive transformation in our local community.
Our Learnings and Successes in Akobo, we saw firsthand how RACHEL acts as a catalyst for much more than just “offline internet.” We integrated the platform into a multi-sectoral approach that included, education as we hosted Virginia University online classes for youth, bridging the gap between remote South Sudan and international higher education.
As Digital innovation numeracy, we gave the computer training centers used RACHEL modules to teach essential digital skills to youth who previously had zero computer access.
As the community Engagement, We linked digital learning with practical community projects, including Community Farms, Fishing Camps, and Cash Transfer Engagements, and Youth Empowerment. Beyond the classroom, we used the center as a hub for Football Clubs and social connection, creating a safe space for youth to learn and grow.
RACHEL is most effective when the modules are tied to local economic activities like our fishing and farming initiatives. The sustainability for having local Lab Assistants is crucial for technical troubleshooting that can be handled, the digital innovation center equipment for living in the community to ensure zero downtime. The holistic Impact for Digital literacy shouldn’t exist in a South Sudan before, but in 2021-2023 it works best when paired with NRC-sponsored livelihoods and sports programs to the community.
I am available to share the technical and pedagogical frameworks we used in Akobo as former staff. Having managed these centers, I can provide guidance on, for setting up digital literacy and numeracy curriculums to maintaining hardware in remote, high-dust, and high-temperature environments, in which to engaging community youth and ensuring high retention rates in online courses.
The RACHEL project in Akobo changed many lives and l was awarded by Virginia University president. I am eager to help other organizations replicate this success across South Sudan.
Best regards,
Gattuak Ruot Yiek
Email:gatuakruot@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +25120279660
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@bhcanada please see this reply from @gattuakruot
Subject: RACHEL in South Sudan Meeting Request
Dear Bismah,
Thank you for your email. I would be very happy to meet with you and share the insights and technical learnings from our work with the RACHEL centers in Akobo.
We saw a significant impact on digital literacy and community engagement through that project, and I look forward to discussing how those experiences might benefit your current initiatives.
Thursday at 4:00 PM works perfectly for me. Please let me know if you would like to meet virtually or at a specific location, and feel free to send over a calendar invitation or a meeting link.
I look forward to our discussion.
Best regards,
Gattuak Ruot Yiek
+251920279660
WhatsApp