Huawei and the Belgian NGO Close the Gap have built a mobile, solar-powered classroom with the aim of bringing digital skills to under-served communities in Kenya. A converted shipping container on wheels, DigiTruck can get to where it’s needed most, reaching communities that conventional classrooms can’t. Equipped with 20 laptops, 20 smartphones, VR Headsets, and internet delivered through mobile broadband, each DigiTruck serves as a temporary digital school that provides free classes and resources to help youth study, work, trade and transact online.
Huawei DigiTruck in Kenya works closely with NGO partner Computers For Schools Kenya to provide locally relevant training, with international partners GSMA and UNESCO on curriculum development, with the Ministry of ICT’s National Youth Council (NYC) and Ajira Initiative, as well as local County government to ensure sustainable impact, engage policy makers in the broader digital literacy agenda, and deliver synergies. For example, Ajira is setting up Youth Empowerment Centers with free internet the youth can use after are trained, runs online courses, and provides a platform to gain online work.
Up to Dec. 2020, more than 1,300 students and teachers in 13 villages have received over 22,000 hours of training.

https://www.huawei.com/minisite/tech4all/en/digitruck.html

• Kenya

• Youth
• Women
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

Huawei is replicating this project in France and also plans to launch several other DigiTrucks in West Africa and other countries around the world. It has a viable business model (after supporting construction of the DigiTruck and 1 year Operating Costs, the DigiTruck is able to generate enough revenue to support further Operating Costs through local government support, renting out the puller and the option of minimal user fees). The construction is adapted to the local context and needs, and built locally with easily available materials (shipping container, solar panels etc). In each location, a local NGO partner manages the DigiTruck and implements the training and Huawei engages local mobile network operators for broadband coverage as well as policy makers in each country to integrate into national programs/initiatives.

The project is sustainable as the up-front costs paid by Huawei have covered all the physical equipment, including solar panels to provide free electricity and a puller for the DigiTruck. This puller is rented out when not in use to generate revenue that covers the minimal operating costs which is just for the trainers on the Truck as well as maintenance/insurance. Safaricom, the Mobile Network Operator, provides free internet costs, and the local County Government contributes towards fuel costs, as well as other ad-hoc costs. The DigiTruck will also consider charging small fees to youth for the training to ensure sustainability, though these fees will be very low due to the Capital Expenditure being provided by Huawei and the above revenue sources covering the majority of the costs already. The small fee also helps ensure commitment from the youth, but will not be mandatory for those who cannot afford it.

The project promotes equality and shows solidarity by helping the underprivileged gain access to skills and knowledge that the privileged already have whilst travelling across the entire country ensuring coverage of all ethnic groups; it enables them to access information on health, education, government services and rights which increases freedom. The training includes a focus on responsible e-waste management to respect nature.