TOGO: Tech workshop in Togo gives platform to female innovators.

Record ID: 347203

  • Title: TOGO: Tech workshop in Togo gives platform to female innovators.
  • Date: 16th September 2014
  • Summary: LOME, TOGO (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF YOUNG GIRLS DURING TECHCAMP WORKSHOP YOUNG GIRLS ASSEMBLING A COMPUTER IN A JERRYCAN VARIOUS OF DIFFERENT MATERIALS ON THE TABLE MORE OF GIRLS ASSEMBLING A COMPUTER IN JERRYCAN (SOUNDBITE) (French) MARIE-LOUISE KOUNGOU TCHOWOU, PARTICIPANT SAYING: "We don't often get the opportunity to do this at school, and especially here in Af
  • Embargoed: 1st October 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Togo
  • Country: Togo
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZJAOPPHOKRQO9G69Q226N8FS
  • Story Text: Young female students from across Togo recently came together in the country's capital Lome, for the first ever Techcamp, an event that encourages young women to get involved in the technology sector.
    The event attracted hundreds of some of Togo brightest female students for an interactive three day workshop, with a learning experience that combined technology and hands on training, as well sessions on entrepreneurship.
    Huddled around a table, this group of young women is assembling a computer made out of recycled material in a jerry can.
    "We don't often get the opportunity to do this at school, and especially here in Africa. We have lessons on this but we don't have opportunity to actually do practical exercises from what we learn. This is an honour and a privilege to be able to do this at Techcamp," said Marie Louise Loungou Tchowou, a participant at the event.
    In many African countries, schools and universities are underfunded, with science education suffering greatly due to a lack of infrastructure and materials.
    Many of those who participated said the event gave them an opportunity not only to see what other young innovators on the continent are doing, but also allowed them to see how far they can go with the right kind of support.
    Using locally sourced material, the girls assembled the computer with everything from old radios, car speakers and plastics.
    "We had to test the material to see if it was in a good condition. The point of the jerry can is to be able to recycle and not to have high tech material but a fun computer that is accessible to all. First, we tested the material and then we put it in the jerry can. We used a specific design to make this, not only nice to look but useful as well. The material has been placed in a manner that will allow it to have an good electric connection and allow some air to pass through," said another participant Nadege Passim.
    Participants say that they hope these types of events will help increase awareness about technology and give young people a platform to learn from each other.
    Organisers said making science practical and fun was a big part of the event, adding that aim was to attract more people involved in innovation to solve local problems as well as create employment.
    "We hope that with this imitative, young girls will go on to lead the tech hub in their different communities. We look to them to create working spaces, where they will invite others to meet exchange and come up with new projects," said Nadege Afoutou, head of Techcamp Togo.
    The event was also held in various countries in west Africa, including Ghana, Burkina Faso a, Benin, Burkina FASO, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Nigeria.
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