Blockchain Community Training and Mentorship: Leveraging blockchain education for participation

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Victor Wambua Nthiwa

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Use an existing blockchain lab in Nairobi to offer expanded blockchain education, training, and mentorship to blockchain users, and implement community outreach initiatives to onboard new users.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

The applicant and proposer are partnering with the Ngong Road Children’s Foundation (NRCF), which has an established Cardano and blockchain lab, and a community of beneficiaries to participate in blockchain mentorship and Cardano Swahili translation. This ensures that the program is successful since NRCF provides participants to be onboarded and also a space to add more computers for training.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

Yes

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The work done by translators through the project for clients like Lido Nation is and will be open to the public for use.

Developers that will be trained through the project will be absorbed and involved in building Cardano-related solutions that will be available to the public.

[METADATA] SDG rating

No poverty

Decent Work and Economic Growth

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

There has been no extensive engagement in Blockchain and Cardano technology in Kenya, given the lack of knowledge and resources in this field. NRCF was the first organization to launch a blockchain lab in Kenya and East Africa.

This proposal would support adding onto an existing blockchain lab at Ngong Road Children’s Foundation that currently has four computers to secure five additional dedicated workstations, expand the Cardano blockchain developer mentorship program to reach more beneficiaries and start a community outreach program that would engage the community in various Cardano education initiatives including individual learn to earn, physical community outreach workshops, and social media engagement on Cardano matters. This lab and proposed activities will enhance understanding of blockchain technology and the Cardano ecosystem, hence increasing the use of these technologies to solve the above problem.

The project will engage NRCF beneficiaries who come from underprivileged backgrounds (The Dagoretti area slums of Nairobi) and whose education has been sponsored through a high school or post-secondary level, hence they have a good basic education to grasp the knowledge relating to blockchain technology and Cardano network. We are targeting 100 beneficiaries of the program. With this funded proposal we can buy five more specialized computers, extend our mentorship program to bring in 10 more young developers in 2024, and conduct community outreach programs that will reach more than 100 beneficiaries in the program. 

The impact will be demonstrated through; 

• Number of beneficiaries engaged during outreach programs 
• Number of community outreach events
• Number of beneficiaries earning through learning
• Number of blockchain developers trained

We are leveraging an existing NGO infrastructure to provide a sustainable and inclusive platform for underprivileged Kenyan students to engage with Cardano. The solution benefits students and the local community, which will ultimately grow the Cardano ecosystem. NRCF also recruits additional funding for the program to ensure the sustainability of the robust education and tech programs that benefit the 500+ active students.

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

The success of our project will be measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitative metrics include the frequency of community outreach events and the number of participants engaged in our educational programs, which will be tracked by our Outreach Officer using a database. Qualitatively, we'll assess contributions made by participants, such as translations and development work on the Cardano network. Additionally, we'll gauge opportunities accessed by participants within the Cardano ecosystem. We will also assess the level of developers trained through their contributions to the Cardano ecosystem and the type of projects done. 

Outputs and opportunities resulting from our project will be shared through regular updates on social media platforms, community newsletters, and dedicated channels within the Cardano network. 

We aim to bring value to the Cardano community by fostering a knowledgeable and active user base in Kenya, contributing to the network's growth and diversity.

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Existing Capabilities and Team Expertise:

• Partnering with a Trusted Organisation: NRCF is a registered NGO in Kenya with an established governance structure having existed for more than 15 years. They are registered under the NGO Coordination Board and do annual filing including audited reports. The applicant and co-proposers have a strong existing partnership with the Ngong Road Children's Foundation (NRCF), with a proven track record of providing blockchain and Cardano educational and employment opportunities to underprivileged youth in our community.

• Successful Mentorship Program: We are already successfully mentoring recent college and university graduates in Cardano development in our lab. NRCF established a BlockChain Lab in Sept 2022 and has trained over 20 beneficiaries with eight blockchain developers trained and mentored by Lido Nation. 

• Community Outreach Officers and Trainers: Our team of co-proposers are experienced blockchain educators having mentored individuals on blockchain concepts. They have previously done community outreach for previously funded proposals where they onboarded new learners and carried out marketing efforts to target Swahili-speaking individuals in Africa.

• Technical Skills: The NRCF Tech team possesses the necessary technical skills to mentor aspiring Cardano developers. We have a tech committee that oversees the implementation of tech programs such as the Blockchain Lab

Trust and Accountability in Fund Management:

• Transparency: We will provide regular progress reports detailing project milestones, financial expenditures, and team activities. These reports will be shared with Cardano community forums and relevant stakeholders.

• Fund/Budget Management: Funds will be managed through a designated Cardano wallet with multi-signature transaction approval. This ensures transparency and minimizes the risk of misuse.

• Guidance: We have a connection with two previously funded Cardano community members who are willing to provide guidance on project delivery and fund management.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Milestone 1: First 2 Months: 

• Lab Setup: Secure five dedicated workstations with the necessary hardware and software for Cardano development and learning.
• Team Structure: We will lay out a team structure and responsibilities for coordinating the programs 
• Recruit and Onboard Participants: A call for applications for developer trainees and Cardano training participants is sent out, and two cohorts are selected. 
• Blockchain and Cardano Training Curriculum Development: Design a work plan and curriculum for administering cardano and blockchain training and Certifications.

Milestone 2 - Month 3- 6

• Developer Growth: The first cohort of Five developer interns completes the mentorship program, demonstrating competency in building Cardano applications, and gets certified.
• Cardano Participants Training: Onboarding the first 50 learners who will be trained on blockchain concepts.
• Quiz after learning: After training for the first cohort of 50 learners, we will administer quizzes and as a reward for getting a pass, we will give out 50 ADA to each learner 
• Project Reporting: Submit progress reports to the Cardano Catalyst community, including event attendance figures and participant feedback.

Milestone 3: Month 7- 10

• Developer Growth: The second cohort of 5 developer interns completes the mentorship program, demonstrating competency in building Cardano applications, and gets certified.
• Cardano Participants Training: Onboarding the second cohort of 50 learners who will be trained on blockchain concepts
• Quiz after learning: After training for the second cohort of 50 learners, we will administer quizzes and as a reward for getting a pass, we will give out 50 ADA to each learner 
• Project Reporting: Submit progress reports to the Cardano Catalyst community, including event attendance figures and participant feedback.

Final Milestone: Months 11 and 12 

• Final Project Reporting: Submit final project reports to the Cardano Catalyst community, including event attendance figures and participant feedback.
• Ecosystem Integration: The Blockchain Lab establishes connections with other Cardano ecosystem projects and organizations.
• Financial Sustainability: Identify and implement at least one revenue stream to support the ongoing maintenance and growth of the Blockchain Lab/TechMate Agency for Blockchain development and other activities.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Victor is a well-rounded IT professional with a passion for math and computer science. He has a strong foundation in IT management, information systems (including Salesforce), and project management. Victor is also skilled in web development using Javascript, PHP, WordPress, and MySQL. His experience ranges from hands-on technical support to leadership roles managing IT staff and overseeing digital marketing needs. Victor's leadership extends beyond his professional role at Ngong Road Children's Foundation. He is a co-founder of the Cardano Blockchain Lab, the first of its kind in Kenya, and is the driving force behind the TechMates program, which launches graduates into careers in tech and digital marketing. He heads and runs both of these programs and the lab, demonstrating his commitment to empowering young adults in the field of technology and blockchain. Victor will head the entire project and act as a developer trainer as well. LinkedIn Profile.

Sallyanne is a two-time funded co-proposer and she is also a blockchain website writer and translator. She has also been conducting independent research about Cardano and watches the weekly Town Hall recordings. She is one of the founding members of the Ngong Road Blockchain Lab in Nairobi, Kenya. Sallyanne stepped into a leadership role at Lido Nation during the Swahili Learn to Earn project, and has taken on a teaching, mentorship, and customer-support role with new blockchain users in Kenya, and with Swahili-speakers across the region. She has also participated in the rollout of the Cardano DirectEd.dev student developer training and scholarship program in Nairobi. Sallyanne has created training materials and videos for Swahili end users and will therefore be responsible for creating the learning curriculum for participants. Sallyanne will act as a community outreach officer and trainer as well. LinkedIn Profile.

Tabitha is a blockchain website writer and translator. She has previously worked with Lido Nation as a community outreach officer, a trainer, and a translator. She has also played a crucial role in the establishment of the Ngong Road blockchain lab by creating training resources such as Swahili content and audio recordings for Swahili end users. Additionally, she has also contributed to the establishment of DirectEd.dev as a trainer and mentor of the scholarship program. She has also taken the time to contribute to community activities by attending workshops organized in Nairobi, such as the catalyst working group event, listening to town hall recordings, and reviewing proposals in each funding round. Tabitha will act as a community outreach officer and trainer as well. LinkedIn Profile.

Titi has been on the Lido Developer team at the Ngong Road Blockchain Lab in Nairobi Kenya. Titi leads and manages an ever-changing staff of junior developers who come through the Lido mentorship program to learn about Cardano, skill up on Web3 development, and contribute to active projects. Titi will act as a developer trainer. LinkedIn profile.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Ngong Road Cardano Lab is a strategic investment. The relatively modest cost of this project will yield a significant return to the Cardano ecosystem by:

• Expanding the Cardano developer workforce
• Fueling Cardano Adoption in Africa
• Creating a self-sustaining center for Cardano education and development

This project positions Cardano to tap into a wealth of potential in Africa, fostering a more inclusive and globally diverse ecosystem.