Tyler Cinnamon is a American programmer and entrepreneur. He started TechLit Africa with Nelly Cheboi in 2018 to disrupt poverty with used IT devices.

Founder & COO

<h2>Global Opportunity</h2>Rural Africans lack opportunities to make a living, but the computers and the internet provide global opportunities. TechLit Africa teaches digital skills to kids in primary schools to unlock global opportunities.We teach kids instead of adults, because kids are excited about technology, because schools enable us to empower thousands of people at once, and because both genders are equally represented in school.<h2>Lacking Tech Literacy</h2>We started working on this problem in 2018 by building a resource center in Mogotio. The next year, we taught computer classes to adults. And finally, in the middle of 2019, we decided to teach computer classes to kids in primary schools.We have seen a gap between the skills adults in rural Africa have, and the skills required to earn a living online. Unfortunately, our experience has been confirmed time and time again by other organizations.<h2>Pillars of Tech Literacy</h2>TechLit students learn fundamental digital skills to become digital natives and thrive online.TechLit classes in primary schools follow a curriculum that is made of three pillars, designed to close the gap between the skills adults in rural Africa have, and the skills required to earn a living online.<h3>1. Troubleshooting</h3>The first pillar of our curriculum is troubleshooting, which falls somewhere between technical debugging and generic problem solving.When a computer program is not working, how do you fix the problem? When something you've created doesn't solve your problem, is there something in the way, is there something missing, or have you misunderstood the problem?<h3>2. Internet Skills</h3>The second pillar of our curriculum is internet skills, because life online is very different from life in- person.In-person you trust your neighbor, but online you don't trust any accounts you can't verify. In-person you communicate live over the phone, but online your email might not get an answer for three days.<h3>3. Self-Efficacy</h3>The third pillar of our curriculum is self-efficacy, which is a student's belief in their ability to succeed through their own actions.Self-efficacy is what enables digital natives to adapt to new technology, learn new skillsets and follow an unbeaten path. Self-efficacy is what enables students to forge their own path, and set their own example.<h2>Economic Empowerment</h2>There are more jobs online than there ever will be locally, and in rural Africa online jobs can easily take you from $4 per day to $8 per hour. TechLit computer classes are designed to unlock the global potential of all the kids in rural Africa.

Curriculum to Unlock Global Opportunities | Troubleshooting, Internet Skills, Self Efficacy | Empowering Rural Africa

TechLit classes in primary schools follow a curriculum that is made of three pillars, designed to close the gap between the skills adults in rural Africa have, and the skills required to earn a living online.

Fundamentals of Tech Literacy | TechLit Africa

We work in a unique way. In this series, we explain how we work.

TechLit works in a unique way. In this series, TechLit explains how they work.

How We Work ~ TechLit Africa

How We Work

Fundamentals of Tech Literacy

<blockquote>It's free!&nbsp;...not quite.</blockquote>The numbers we came up with are&nbsp;$80 USD per year per student&nbsp;for private school,&nbsp;and&nbsp;$46 USD per year per student&nbsp;for public school.To learn how we came to those numbers, and why it's difficult to estimate, read on.<h2>Free Primary Education, By Law</h2><blockquote>Since 2003, Kenya's constitution guarantees every child the right to free basic education.</blockquote>In many countries approaching middle-income status promise free primary education.&nbsp;In 2003, under a new constitution, Kenya followed suit.&nbsp;<a href="http://www.kenyalaw.org/lex/actview.xql?actid=Const2010" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kenya's constitution</a>&nbsp;every child the right to free and compulsory basic education.However, public funding for primary education has never been enough.&nbsp;Although the constitution guarantees free education,&nbsp;school fees in public schools are still commonplace, and not a small matter.&nbsp;Many parents struggle to afford the fees.To combat this problem, the Kenyan legislature passed the&nbsp;<a href="http://kenyalaw.org/lex/actview.xql?actid=No.%2014%20of%202013" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Basic Education Act</a>&nbsp;in 2013 to enforce free education under the constitution.&nbsp;The situation has gradually improved over the last decade.<h2>Low Cost Private Schools (LCPS)</h2><blockquote>In Kenya, families make huge sacrifices to send their children to school.</blockquote>Kenyan parents believe that education is a path to a better life.&nbsp;They believe it so much so that they go to great lengths to provide a better education for their kids.Because of the lack of public funding and the value placed on education, Kenya is full of private schools.&nbsp;Kids as young as 6 years old are sent to private schools, even private boarding schools for their education.In fact,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/kenya-even-poor-parents-send-their-kids-private-schools" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">most parents prefer sending their kids to a private primary school.</a>&nbsp;Families will live on a shoestring budget, even deferring bills to get their kid into a more prestigious school.<h2>Uncovering The "Hidden Costs"</h2><blockquote>There are many barriers to knowing the actual cost per student.</blockquote>In 2009, according to that year's Kenyan census report,&nbsp;over 3.9 million kids were not in school because of the "hidden costs" of free primary education.<a href="https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/123456789/3656/Ngwacho%20George%20Areba.pdf?sequence=3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A research paper out of Kenyatta University</a>&nbsp;found that on average, parents paid roughly $16 per child per year on "hidden costs".&nbsp;After examining schools in Kisii Central District, the researchers found that parents were asked to pay for&nbsp;uniforms, food, buildings, extra tuition, examinations, textbooks, exercise books, transport&nbsp;and all kinds of administrative costs.The amount of services covered by parents varies by school and region.&nbsp;That is the biggest reason it is so difficult to get&nbsp;an accurate unit-cost for a student's education in Kenya.<h2>The True Cost of Primary School in Kenya</h2><blockquote>A 2017 study found the costs of primary schools in Nairobi.</blockquote><a href="https://www.dandc.eu/en/article/kenya-even-poor-parents-send-their-kids-private-schools" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A 2017 study from Florida State University</a>&nbsp;estimated the unit-cost of education for both public and private schools in Nairobi, Kenya.&nbsp;Household income in the areas studied was near the national average.The figures for private schools may account for the total cost per student,&nbsp;but the public school figures don't yet account for the amount spent by the government.<blockquote>Private school in Kenya costs&nbsp;$80 per student per year&nbsp;on average.</blockquote>The study found that, on average, private school cost parents&nbsp;$80 per student per year.&nbsp;About $54 went to tuition, while the rest was spent on food and other fees.<blockquote>Public school in Kenya costs&nbsp;$46 per student per year&nbsp;on average (accounting for public funding and "hidden" fees).</blockquote>The study found that, on average, public school cost parents (not accounting for government spending)&nbsp;$32 per student per year.&nbsp;About half went to tuition, while the rest was spent on food and other fees.<a href="https://theconversation.com/where-kenya-is-spending-money-on-education-and-whats-missing-119393" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">An online research blog, theconversation.com</a>&nbsp;did the math in 2019, and found that the Kenyan government was spending&nbsp;$14 per student per year.Combining both sources, we can estimate the average cost of public education per student per year at...&nbsp;$46.<h2>TechLit Africa: Providing Digital Skills for Global Opportunities</h2><blockquote>TechLit Africa teaches computer skills to kids in primary schools.</blockquote>In 2022, TechLit's computer classes will cost on average $7 student per year.&nbsp;By 2024, we expect the cost to be below $5 per student.At TechLit Africa, we teach computer classes to provide global opportunities to kids in Kenya.&nbsp;Digital skills unlock the potential of the global economy for anyone with a used computer and the skills to use it.As of early 2022, we are operating in 10 schools in 3 counties.&nbsp;We expect to be operating in 100 schools in 6 counties by the end fo the year,&nbsp;and hope to expand into 1,000 more in 2023.

Cost of Public and Private School in Kenya | Government Funding and Hidden Fees for Parents | Unit-Cost per Student per Year

The numbers we came up with are&nbsp;$80 USD per year per student&nbsp;for private school,&nbsp;and&nbsp;$46 USD per year per student&nbsp;for public school.Read on to learn how we came to those numbers, and why it's difficult to estimate.

Primary school in Kenya: what does it cost? | TechLit Africa

Primary school in Kenya: what does it cost?

In June this year we opened our second and third computer labs.&nbsp;We want schools to buy into our program before we start.&nbsp;So, we ask them to provide a secure room with furniture and electricity.For our first school, we built furniture and hired a contractor to prepare the room.&nbsp;But we knew that if we did that for every school, we wouldn’t reach 10 computer labs by the end of our trip.Our second school came with some furniture, but the third built furniture just for our program!&nbsp;It was another milestone, and it’s something we’ve negotiated with every school since then.

TechLit First Joined Private Primary Schools in June, 2021 to Teach Remote Work Skills in their Third and Fourth Computer Classrooms

In June this year we started computer classes in our third and fourth labs.&nbsp;We worked with a private school who provided tables and electrical equipment.

(9/19) Recap 2021 - Joining Private Schools | TechLit Africa

Nelly Cheboi is a celebrated social entrepreneur, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/nelly-cheboi/?sh=179de9a85764" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forbes 30 under 30</a> honoree, and<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/14/world/education-technology-recycling-kenya-poverty-cnnheroes/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> CNN Hero</a>. After growing up in rural Kenya and lifting her family out of poverty, she focused on her community.

CEO | CNN Hero | Forbes Under 30

Our 2021 Recap is a collection of 19 stories from our progress in 2021.&nbsp;You can experience our growth from zero to 10 computer labs while we relive the best moments of the year.

2021 Recap | Year of Impact | TechLit Africa

2021 Recap

(9/19) Recap 2021 - Joining Private Schools

Why are we building computer labs again?&nbsp;Because computers and the internet can be powerful equalizers.&nbsp;A remote job in rural Kenya can easily take someone from $4 per DAY to $8 per HOUR.&nbsp;In short: we build computer labs to break the cycle of poverty.Imagine that you’re a child going to school in Mogotio, Kenya.&nbsp;Your day starts at 7:00 AM, walking to school in your uniform for breakfast with tea.&nbsp;You spend months preparing for one of three tests every year.&nbsp;Your performance on the final test in class 8 determines if you can go to high school.&nbsp;Your performance determines your future, so classes are strict and repetitive.The problem with this picture is that it doesn’t prepare you to prosper as an adult — maybe you can learn adult skills in high school or university.&nbsp;If you don’t make it that far, maybe you can learn adult skills on the job.&nbsp;The opportunity is that there are more jobs available online that there are locally.We hosted 1,400 children in our “open lab experiment” in 2019.&nbsp;That experience shaped the way we introduce computers and software in our classes.The first day of class, students are reserved and hesitant.&nbsp;We believe that most effective learning happens when you’re having fun.&nbsp;That’s why the first few classes are completely computer games.&nbsp;Kids learn to press the spacebar to jump and to use the arrow keys to move.&nbsp;They have fun playing together while using software for the first time.&nbsp;Once the kids are enjoying themselves and comfortable in the lab, we introduce fundamental skills like touch-typing.

TechLit Africa Teaches Remote Work Skills in Rural African Primary Schools Because Effective Economic Empowerment can Disrupt Poverty

Our theory of change didn't change in 2021.&nbsp;We believe a rural Kenyan could go from earning $4 per day to $8 per hour through remote work.

(8/19) Recap 2021 - Theory of Change | TechLit Africa

(8/19) Recap 2021 - Theory of Change

Yesterday we shared the story of our first computer lab.&nbsp;While our focus is very narrow (we don’t do anything but computer classes),&nbsp;it takes a lot to run computer classes.Every school day, from 8 AM to 4 PM, our computer labs are completely full of kids (we don’t have empty seats).&nbsp;We’ve found that the secret to a successful computer lab is having dedicated educators supervising the class.&nbsp;We are so serious about effective and equitable classes that our team meets virtually every day,&nbsp;and trains after classes and on weekends.Let me tell you about some of our first teammates.&nbsp;Dogo Flower (pictured second from the right, with the smile)&nbsp;overheard me asking for young graduates who were good with kids.&nbsp;Dogo is a self-starter, so he was at work early the next day with a proposal.On Dogo’s first day of work, he was a perfect fit.&nbsp;But wait, there’s more! He composed a full “TechLit Africa” song,&nbsp;and offered to produce a music video for us.&nbsp;If you haven’t seen the music video yet, you really should! It's on our YouTube channel,&nbsp;called "TechLit Africa" with Dogo Flower.We grew from 3 members to 20 within just a few weeks.&nbsp;Dogo has helped us find most of our team.&nbsp;To nobody’s surprise, everyone he’s brought in has been dedicated, kind and talented.We expect more than most jobs would, we expect them to be founders like us.&nbsp;When they have problems, they find solutions and when they see opportunities, they seize the day.Next year, we need to grow our team again.&nbsp;We will need somewhere between 150 and 200 full-time team members in Kenya to take on another 100 classrooms.&nbsp;It may seem like a lot, but not when you compare it to the 40,000 children who’s lives we will be changing forever.

TechLit Africa Brand Ambassador Dogo Flower Referred Dozens of Rural African Youth to Become Tech Educators

We hired 20 full-time educators in 2021.&nbsp;Our Brand Ambassador, Dogo Flower, referred dozens of youth to become TechLit educators.

(7/19) Recap 2021 - Youth Become Educators | TechLit Africa

(7/19) Recap 2021 - Youth Become Educators

Hey, this is Tyler. I flew to Kenya in May this year.&nbsp;When I came on the scene, schools were just opening.&nbsp;And you remember the three pallets of computers we shipped in 2020?&nbsp;They were in Mogotio waiting to be set up.Nelly went to a school called Mogotio Primary.&nbsp;Here’s some good news: they were open to being our guinea pig.&nbsp;So, the day after I arrived, we brought two bags of laptops on a motorbike to have a demo class.&nbsp;The kids had a blast!Before I know it, I’m two-days deep installing our first computer lab.&nbsp;JoCee, our inaugural teammate, was there with me and it still took two full days!&nbsp;Causes of delay may include: securely erasing data, testing equipment,&nbsp;counting peripherals, installing our desktop and running network cables.I was just telling Nelly, I think this was the most growth we’ve had at once this year.&nbsp;And that’s saying something, because we added 20 educators and onboarded ten schools later.&nbsp;Tomorrow you can see the reveal: Mogotio Primary v1.

Tyler Cinnamon repurposes Used Computers for Kenya Primary School. Students at Mogotio Primary Enjoyed a TechLit Africa Demo Class.

Tyler flew to Kenya in May. After a demo class at Mogotio Primary, a local school,&nbsp;he repurposed computers for the first classroom.

(5/19) Recap 2021 - Reusing Computers | TechLit Africa

(5/19) Recap 2021 - Reusing Computers

My family didn’t have food growing up, and our home wasn’t safe or even dry.&nbsp;I wanted to change the narrative of kids growing up in communities like mine.&nbsp;I wanted to fix poverty, and for good this time.As a child going to Mogotio Primary, I spent every waking moment studying.&nbsp;It’s where my journey started, so it’s fitting that it’s where TechLit ran its first computer class.In May this year we officially started our first computer class in Mogotio Primary.&nbsp;The air was electric with kids asking when and how they could start, and teachers watching in awe and disbelief.In Kiswahili have a word for homecoming, but when you bring progress with you.&nbsp;Teachers that knew me as a bright young girl said I came with “maendeleo.”This was a turning point for TechLit.&nbsp;From this day on, we taught computer classes every school-day.&nbsp;In a school of even 1,000 students, we see each student at least twice per week.&nbsp;This was proof that our pilot program could work.

Nelly Cheboi's Homecoming at Mogotio Primary Taught 1,000 Children Digital Skills in First Computer Class of 2021.

Our first official computer classes were at Mogotio Primary School.&nbsp;Nelly was a student at Mogotio Primary, and returned with a comptuer lab.

(6/19) Recap 2021 - Homecoming | TechLit Africa

(6/19) Recap 2021 - Homecoming

I learned how to use a computer as an adult, and it was hard.&nbsp;On my first job out of college, I was so nervous typing in front of my boss that I would visibly tremble.&nbsp;It took me six months of practicing at night on Ratatype before I was confident at work.My experience has greatly influenced the way we teach at TechLit.&nbsp;Over the last few years, we’ve introduced computers to students of all ages: adults and kids.&nbsp;We have the seen the keyboard as the biggest barrier to confidence for our students, too.So this March when I had six weeks with the neighborhood kids,&nbsp;I introduced them to our touch-typing application, qwerty.&nbsp;At first the kids would get bored of the class quickly.&nbsp;But after augmenting qwerty with a leaderboard, levels and badges,&nbsp;they were motivated and competing just like any other computer game.&nbsp;Later this year, we rolled out qwerty to all our 10 schools.It warms my heart seeing thousands of kids being confident at the keyboard.

Nelly Cheboi Taught Rural African Students How To Become Digital Natives with Remote Work Skills like Touch-Typing

Nelly learned how to use a computer as an adult, which is much harder than learning as a child.&nbsp;She taught the neighborhood kids all the skills she wish she had when she was a kid.

(4/19) Recap 2021 - Digital Natives | TechLit Africa

(4/19) Recap 2021 - Digital Natives

Tyler Cinnamon

I founded TechLit with Nelly in 2018. We were living and working together&nbsp;in a small apartment in Chicago. Nelly had the idea to teach technology&nbsp;in Kenya by building schools, and I said: "the schools already exist,&nbsp;we just need the computers classes." Since then, I have worn many hats,&nbsp;from connecting hardware and software to lifting boxes and teaching classes.Before TechLit I was a self-taught software engineer. I was immersed in&nbsp;programming from a young age, first hacking on TI calculators and visual&nbsp;languages, and eventually building websites and flash games.Now I’m bringing my love of software and ambitious optimism to TechLit,&nbsp;because I believe everyone in the world should be able to use recent technology.&nbsp;I think we can use technology this way to make humankind as a whole more equitable and efficient.

American Programmer and Social Entrepreneur | How Tyler Started TechLit | Electronic Reuse to Disrupt Poverty in Rural Africa

Posts by Author: Tyler Cinnamon