By Victor Ogalle
Born in Nakuru and moving to Nairobi with her at a tender age Rukia Rashid’s life story is one christened as full of trials, resilience, and a passion for learning from a soft-spoken slum girl from Kibra to breaking gender and societal barriers. Rukia’s path to success is a testament to the power of education, community support, and an unwavering passion for technology.
Her educational journey commenced in in 2007 where she successfully completed in 2016. However, life took a challenging turn with the sudden death of her father soon after, leaving her and her family in a vulnerable position. Despite the adversity, she pressed on and joined Kibera Girls Soccer Academy for her secondary education that would take an unprecedented five years instead of four due the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the academic calendar for students across the globe.
Upon completing secondary school, Rukia sought to explore her interests in the creative arts. She enrolled in a film production course at a local college in Nairobi, which opened the doors for a brief internship stint. But once the internship concluded, the sense of being unproductive while staying at home weighed heavily on her. Determined to make the most of her time, she turned to a friend for advice. Her advice would in the long run be a life changing venture that soon tunred into a passion. Hence her induction to NairoBits Trust, an institution dedicated to empowering unpriviledged youth through technology and digital skills.
In September 2022, the mellow speaking yet assertive Rukia cleared her 3-month course in Digital Literacy Program (DLP). Graduating with top honors in her cohort. Her zeal for web development did not stop there as her dedication and enthusiasm led her to advance into pursuing the Advanced Multmedia Program, where she attests she discovered her true passion, web development and storytelling.
“It is through the training and practicals at NairoBits, I realized how much I enjoyed coding and creating digital narratives. It was more than just learning, it was discovering a part of myself I hadn’t known before,” shared Rukia.
Rukia and other NairoBits students were pioneer beneficiaries of the Video Impact Training (VIT) courtesy of Golypoon Kenya through the Human Needs Project located in Kibra who are NairoBits’ partners.
“Through VIT we were taught the skill of video storytelling for social impact, through hands-on training using mobile phones we got to learn about video editing, sound and video production, scripting, news writing and acting, “says Rukia.
Rukia further divulges that the VIT course gave her a sense of self-realization and she discovered that she can be a news announcer where she currently works part time at a local online station in Kibra.
However along the way mid 2023 after completion of her course the girl from Kibra did encounter challenges that almost dwindled her tech and storytelling dream. Due to her financial background, she lacked a laptop and internet connection which were vital components in sharpening her skills and enabling her passion. Recognizing the importance of these resources, Give Internet in collaboration with NairoBits, stepped in to provide her and other twenty students with laptops and a pocket WiFi.These tools became essential for her continued growth in tech as she had already secured an internship opportunity at a tech institution in Nairobi..
Reflecting on the impact of this support, she expressed her gratitude, stating, “The laptop and Wi-Fi have been valuable assets in my career progression and familiarization . They not only allowed me to continue learning and working but also empowered me to take control of my career. Give Internet left an indelible mark in my heart that I live to treasure, “reveals Rukia.
Today, Rukia continues to excel in web development and digital storytelling, using the skills and resources she has acquired to carve out a promising career in her community with the Kibra slums and Nairobi at large. Her journey from Nakuru to Nairobi, from a schoolgirl to a budding tech professional, is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of community support, and the impact of access to education and technology.
As she looks to the future, she remains committed to her growth and hopes to inspire others in similar situations to pursue their passions especially girls, no matter the obstacles they may face. Her story is a beacon of hope for many young people in Kenya, proving that with determination, support, and the right tools, anything is possible. In a world where many young people struggle to find their footing, her journey serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and passion can break barriers and pave the way for a brighter tomorrow.
