In an era where technology drives innovation across every sector, equipping educators with cutting-edge digital skills has become more critical than ever. The future of education depends on teachers who can inspire and prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by robotics, artificial intelligence, and digital innovation. The Riley Orton Foundation Partners with Futures Infinite and  support from Raspberry Pi to train teachers in Western Kenya. Over 160 teachers have been trained  to learn about robotics in September 2025. The first training happened in on 6th september 2025 in Kisumu County with 60 teachers. The second one was on 13th september in Bungoma County and had over 100 teachers. This shows that many teachers want to learn new skills to help their students.
During the training, teachers learned how to use the Raspberry Pi Pico. This is a small computer that is like Arduino and ESP32, but it works faster. Teachers practiced connecting LED lights and writing simple computer programs using a language called MicroPython. They got hands-on experience that they can use in their classrooms right away.
Through the Raspberry Pi foundation website teachers access free lesson plans on their website. These lessons are easy to follow and don't cost anything. This means teachers and students can keep learning even after the training ends. Having free resources helps schools that don't have much money for technology.
Teachers benefit from this training in many ways. They learn new skills that make them better at their jobs. They can make their lessons more interesting by using technology. Students pay more attention when they can touch and build things instead of just reading books. Teachers also meet other teachers who share the same interests and can help each other.
Students get even more benefits. They learn skills they will need for future jobs in technology. Working with robots helps them think better and solve problems. Many students become more interested in science and math after trying robotics. These hands-on activities help them do better in all their school subjects. Most importantly, they get ready for jobs in Kenya's growing technology industry.

Each teacher who got trained can help about 30 to 50 students every year. With over 160 trained teachers, thousands of students will learn these important skills. When teachers start Code Clubs and teach other teachers, even more students benefit.
The Raspberry Pi Pico is perfect for schools because it doesn't cost too much money, but it can do many things. Combined with the free lessons from Raspberry Pi, schools can keep teaching robotics for a long time without spending more money.

This training program is just the beginning. Teachers are excited about what they learned, and many are already starting Code Clubs in their schools. This shows that teachers in Western Kenya really want to give their students the best education possible.
By training teachers today, we are helping students prepare for tomorrow. These teachers can now inspire their students to use technology to solve problems and create new things. When students learn these skills young, they can become the inventors and business owners who will make Kenya stronger in the future.

By Raphael Achapa; Program assisant

At the Riley Orton Foundation, we believe technology and creativity can transform lives. Through our Akili STEMarts Academy in rural Obambo during our holiday STEM camp, we're introducing 150 + students to the exciting world of creative coding using Scratch. This visual programming platform allows children to create interactive stories, games, and animations while learning fundamental coding concepts. What makes our approach special is how we combine coding education with environmental awareness - students use Scratch to tell stories about local ecological challenges and imagine technological solutions. Many of our students are experiencing computers for the first time, yet they're quickly mastering skills that will serve them for life. We focus on Scratch because it's designed specifically for young learners, using colorful blocks instead of complex syntax. This makes coding accessible and fun, especially important in communities where technology exposure is limited. Students create projects about deforestation, water conservation, and renewable energy, blending storytelling with problem-solving. These aren't just abstract exercises - they're explorations of real issues affecting their communities. Coding teaches far more than computer skills. As students build their Scratch projects, they develop logical thinking, creativity, and persistence. They learn to break big problems into smaller steps and see mistakes as learning opportunities. These are essential skills for any career path. We supplement our Scratch curriculum with free, high-quality resources from the Scratch Foundation and Raspberry Pi Foundation, ensuring our students receive world-class STEM education despite resource limitations.
Our work goes beyond teaching technical skills - we're nurturing a generation of problem-solvers. When a student creates an animation about tree planting or designs a game about recycling, they're not just learning to code. They're learning that technology can be a tool for positive change. They're gaining the confidence to see themselves as creators, not just consumers, of technology. This mindset shift is powerful in rural communities where access to tech education is rare.
The digital divide isn't just about hardware, it's about opportunity. While we continue working to secure more computers and tablets, we're proving that impactful STEM education is possible even with limited resources. Our students may start with simple Scratch projects, but they're building foundations for future innovation. Every animated story, every interactive game represents a young mind discovering their potential to shape the future.
We invite you to join us in this important mission. Whether through device donations, volunteering, or simply spreading awareness, your support helps unlock the creative potential of rural youth. Ensuring that no child is left behind in the digital age. At Akili STEMarts Academy

As Kenya continues to roll out the Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, teachers are increasingly expected to integrate digital literacy and technical studies into everyday teaching. One of the key areas introduced in the CBE is Scratch programming, a visual coding language that helps learners build problem-solving and creative thinking skills. However, despite its inclusion in the curriculum, many teachers, particularly in rural and underserved areas lack the training and support needed to implement it effectively. The shift toward a practical, learner-centered approach requires not just new content, but a transformation in how teachers teach. Unfortunately, structured capacity-building by relevant authorities has been limited, creating a disconnect between curriculum expectations and classroom realities.
Recognizing this gap, the Riley Orton Foundation (ROF), in collaboration with the African Maths Initiative (AMI), organized a Creative Coding with Scratch workshop for teachers on June 27th, 2025. The training was held in Kanyawegi, Kisumu County, and brought together 18 educators to strengthen their confidence and skills in digital instruction.
The workshop introduced teachers to Scratch programming and Edu-Scratch, an adaptation of Scratch that allows for basic robotics integration. Through guided exercises, participants learned how to move sprites and create interactive animations, design digital stories and classroom simulations, and connect Scratch to physical components to code simple robotic functions.
These exercises helped teachers understand how coding can support learning in different subjects including mathematics, science, language, and even social studies.
“About Scratch, I learnt how to make sprites move from one point to another, change the costume, and even how to incorporate Scratch in different learning areas,” shared one participant.
Another noted, “I have learnt how to instruct robots to work like human beings and how to use Scratch as a tool for active learning.”
An exciting takeaway from the training was the range of experience among the participants. Some teachers had prior exposure to coding and quickly grasped advanced concepts. These educators are now well-positioned to serve as Scratch coordinators in their schools, mentoring peers and spearheading the formation of Code Clubs with continued support from ROF and AMI. At the same time, teachers with no prior exposure expressed genuine curiosity and enthusiasm, showing strong potential to grow with mentorship and follow-up sessions. This reflects a larger truth: with the right tools and a little encouragement, every teacher can be a digital learning leader.
This workshop reaffirmed ROF and AMI’s shared vision, to make digital education more inclusive, practical, and engaging, especially for teachers and students in underserved communities. As the CBE continues to evolve, we believe real transformation will come from the ground up, when teachers are empowered to lead change in their classrooms.
We remain committed to expanding this model and creating more opportunities for rural teachers to learn, explore, and innovate.

By Elidah Ayiemba; Fundraising assisatant

SARE Designs Vocational Education and Training Center is proud to announce its participation in the Grades of Green Through its RISE CLIMATE SOLUTION CHALLENGE https://gradesofgreen.org/program-pathway/rise-climate-solutions-campaign/initiative, launching an innovative "Trash to Cash" program that repurposes textile waste from its tailoring shop into valuable products.
The program transforms fabric scraps and remnants that would typically be discarded into fashionable accessories including tote bags, decorative pillows, and unique patchwork earrings. This sustainable approach not only reduces the center's environmental footprint but also provides students with additional creative design opportunities and entrepreneurial skills.
"We're excited to integrate sustainability into our vocational training," said Nancy, Centre Manager. "By teaching our students to see value in materials that would otherwise be wasted, we're instilling both environmental responsibility and business innovation skills that will serve them throughout their careers."
The initiative aligns perfectly with Grades of Green's mission to empower students to create environmental change. Through this partnership, SARE Designs students will learn techniques for sorting, cataloging, and creatively combining textile scraps into cohesive designs that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
Products created through the "Trash to Cash" program will be available for purchase at the center's boutique shop and at local community markets, with proceeds supporting the continuation and expansion of the vocational training programs.
For more information or to schedule a visit to see these sustainable creations, please contact [Contact Information].
About SARE Designs Vocational Education and Training Center SARE Designs provides comprehensive vocational training in fashion design, tailoring, and textile arts, equipping students with marketable skills for successful careers in the fashion and design industries.
About Grades of Green Grades of Green is an environmental education organization that inspires and empowers students to take action for a more sustainable future through hands-on projects and initiatives.

We are thrilled to announce that we were awarded a transformative grant by EDP through their A2E Fund to implement the Sustainable Energy for STEM Education and Vocational Training project in Kanyawegi location, Kisumu County, Kenya. With this project, we have installed a solar energy system throughout the entire campus to provide consistent, clean power, ensuring uninterrupted learning, enhanced vocational training, and improved living conditions for staff and volunteers, while reducing energy costs and promoting sustainability.
This solar project is a game-changer as it will enable our students to have uninterrupted access to technology, and girls gaining vocational skills can build livelihoods without fear. It is about equity and unlocking potential. This initiative marks a critical step toward bridging the gap between rural and urban education while addressing systemic inequalities faced by marginalized youth, particularly girls, in Western Kenya.  Greenex Energy Limited’s technical expertise in installation.

The project will also engage girls, typically underrepresented in Kenya's STEM fields. We will empower these young girls to explore and pursue STEM and environmental sciences careers, addressing the gender gap in these fields. Additionally, by engaging students in this critical age range, 12-20 years, we aim to influence their educational and career choices at a formative stage, promoting a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals. It will also engage 20 teachers and volunteers who will assist in training and potentially continue with the project beyond its duration.

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By Monica Adhiambo

A significant challenge in the CBC curriculum's implementation has been educators' preparedness to deliver advanced technological content. Our STEM camp addressed this critical gap. One participating educator provided a compelling testimonial, noting a transformative shift from avoiding Scratch programming topics due to limited understanding to gaining the confidence to effectively teach these essential digital competencies.
The emphasized active participant engagement, fostering advanced analytical reasoning, creative problem-solving capabilities, scientific inquiry skills, and collaborative interdisciplinary approaches. The camp demonstrated that STEM education is fundamentally about collective innovation and collaborative knowledge creation. By implementing group-based learning strategies, participants developed critical communication and collaborative skills essential in contemporary professional environments.​​

"The future of technological advancement in Kenya is being programmed, designed, and realized—one student at a time."
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by Monica Adhiambo 

​The Riley Orton Foundation's vocational training program stands as a powerful intervention in the complex landscape of vulnerability faced by out-of-school girls. By providing comprehensive skills training, the program directly addresses multiple dimensions of social and economic risk. Economic vulnerability often exposes young women to dangerous circumstances, including early marriage, exploitation, and limited life choices. Through targeted education in garment making, business skills, and personal development, these 30 graduates now have a tangible pathway to economic independence. Each skill learned becomes a shield against potential exploitation, transforming vulnerability into opportunity. The program does more than teach a trade; it rebuilds entire life trajectories, giving these young women the tools to make autonomous decisions, support themselves and their families, and become active agents of change in their communities. As these graduates step forward, they are not just individual success stories, but living proof of how targeted educational interventions can systematically reduce the social and economic risks faced by out-of-school girls, creating ripple effects of empowerment that extend far beyond individual achievements.

By Monica Adhiambo

The consequences of poor MHM practices are far-reaching. They can lead to physical discomfort, infections, and embarrassment, causing girls to miss school. In our ongoing fight to empower girls and ensure their full potential, ROF recently participated in activities surrounding Menstrual Hygiene Day, which is internationally celebrated every May 28th.  We recognized the challenges faced by many girls, particularly in rural areas where most of our beneficiaries are located. These girls often lack access to resources and education on proper menstrual hygiene management (MHM)​