iMlango launches new E-Learning App enabling students to learn at home during COVID-19

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that swept the world, quickly resulting in school closures in Kenya, we adapted the iMlango learning platform to ensure the continuation of education whilst students are at home. 

To do this, we responded rapidly and created a plan to reach students digitally by developing an iMlango App to be downloaded on to parents’ phones. The user-friendly iMango App is available to download from the Google Play Store and provides a selection of the iMlango learning content found on the in-school platform for students, which includes:

• Digital Storybooks and comprehension questions to improve literacy

• Q-Files, the children’s encyclopaedia, for students to explore subjects such as History, Science and Geography

• Access to Maths-Whizz’s multi-award winning interactive maths tutor 

• Fun educational podcasts that encourage students to read by following along with the presenter as a story is read, answer questions related to the story, and improve their vocabulary
  

Adapting how children access the iMlango digital learning platform will not only encourage continued learning during the COVID-19 pandemic whilst schools are closed but also provide safe access to learning resources for them whilst at home.

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Underpinning Ambition: Agnes' Story

Kemeliet Primary School is situated in the Moiben subcounty of Uasin Gishu county. 52kms from its capital, Eldoret, the primary economic activity in this area is farming, and the main crop tomatoes. The school has a population of 227 boys and 209 girls. It has championed the iMlango programme since its inception, and attendance in excess of 90% in 2019 amongst the older year groups is testament to its success, any discrepancy between the genders reflecting the slighly higher enrolment of boys.

Agnes joined Kemeliet Primary School in 2013, and is currenlty in Standard 6. Her mother died three years ago, and her father left home in search of employment. She and her two sisters (one also in Standard 6, the eldest in Standard 7) were taken in by a well-wisher, who also enrolled the girls at the school, despite no funds being forthcoming from their father.

“Agnes has put our school on the map with her exemplary performance, despite the challenges she has been facing. She attends school regularly and she’s very active in class”, reports Mr. Busienei, former Headteacher.

Agnes is awarded a badge by an iMlango Field Officer

Agnes has maintained top position in her class, being appointed iMlango Champion in 2019. According to Madam Truphena, the school’s focal teacher, she is valuable member of the school community, taking her responsibilities seriously and performing her tasks diligently, including: following up on attendance monitoring with the class prefects, assisting teachers with equipment set-up for whole class learning sessions and keeping the classroom clean and locked when not in use.

Agnes is also a member of The Roses Club, the school’s child club. The children have been watching ‘My Better World’ videos which has inspired enterprise such as growing and selling onions, with the profit they have made being put to good use in helping to buy undergarments for some of the more financially- challenged girls.

Agnes aspires to be a doctor when she grows up, and if she continues to perform at this high level, we have no doubt that iMlango will help her on her way to success!

Keep safe during these uncertain times.

Until next time,

The iMlango Team

Celebrating International Women's Day

This International Women’s day we’re celebrating the achievements of women and girls in Kenya, where we work to improve equality and empower them to become the best that they can be.

The 8th of March has provided a focal point each year for women’s rights movements and gender equality. 110 years on since International Women’s Day was established, there’s still a long way to go to achieve full equality, and here at iMlango we’ll continue to strive to improve the lives of women and girls across all our school communities and beyond.

Whether it be working to improve education outcomes for girl students in our schools; delivering Microfinance to entrepreneurial mothers in marginalised communities to grow their businesses and improve their families’ lives; or by providing an innovative digital education service to help support iMlango for years to come, we’ll continue our work to ensure women and girls have equal opportunities.

An equal world is an empowered world; so here’s to all of the women that inspire, challenge and support us, this International Women’s Day.

The iMlango Team