and Mama Tech | Somo Tech Literacy Centre (STLC)
Somo Tech Literacy Centre (STLC), formerly SomoTech Africa. Sixteen girls attended a Ruby on Rails workshop at Somiqo Hub in Kilifi on 24 October 2026. The...
Sixteen girls took their first steps into software development at Somiqo Hub in Kilifi on 24 October 2026, through a Ruby on Rails workshop delivered by Somo Tech Literacy Centre and Mama Tech | Tich Labs.
The workshop marked the start of a 12-month partnership aimed at expanding access to technology skills for girls and young women in Kilifi County. It offered a practical introduction to Ruby, a programming language known for being approachable to beginners, and Ruby on Rails, a framework used to build web applications.
For many participants, it was their first opportunity to learn software development in a real training environment close to home.
A partnership built around access
Distance, cost and a lack of local learning spaces continue to limit access to technology skills in many communities. The partnership was formed to help close this gap for girls and young women in Kilifi County.
Mama Tech | Tich Labs designed and facilitated the training. The session was co-led by Naijeria Toweett, Africa Chapter Lead of WNB.rb (Women and Non-Binary Rubyists). Her connections to the wider African Ruby community brought regional experience and a supportive network to the workshop.
WNB.rb sponsored transport and refreshments for participants, ensuring that cost was not a barrier to attendance. For a community-based programme, this support helps make a workshop accessible in practice, not just in principle.
Somo Tech Literacy Centre provided the venue, laptops and internet connectivity at Somiqo Hub. It also mobilised participants through its local networks, drawing on its work with young people and teachers across the region.
Practical learning close to home
Somiqo Hub is a community-based innovation centre in Kilifi that brings digital skills and learning opportunities to young people where they live. It includes a coding and digital literacy room, a digital storytelling room and outdoor space for community activities.
The Ruby workshop reflects the hub’s purpose: bringing practical skills, trainers and networks together in one place, within reach of the people who need them.
Supporting women beyond the first workshop
Women remain underrepresented in software development across Africa. Introductory workshops are an important first step, but the greater challenge is what happens afterwards: whether learners find mentors, peers and a community that encourages them to continue.
This partnership focuses on making the first workshop the start of a learning journey rather than a one-off event.
Next steps for learning and community
Somo Tech Literacy Centre and Mama Tech | Tich Labs are working on the following next steps.
Kilifi Ruby Community Chapter
The two organisations plan to launch a local Ruby community chapter at Somiqo Hub, provisionally in late November 2026, as an entry point into the wider African Ruby community. The chapter would offer regular meetups and learning sessions for people in Kilifi who want to keep building their skills.
Continued learning and mentorship
Participants who want to go further will be connected with mentors, peer-learning sessions, technical talks and practical projects to help their skills grow beyond a single workshop.
A 12-week hybrid programme
The partners are exploring a longer programme combining technology training, practical product development and collaborative learning. This will depend on participant interest, facilitators and available funding.
Dare to Speak
A storytelling series is planned to highlight the journeys of women in technology, from their first workshop to continued learning, community participation and software development. Participants will take part only if they wish to share their experiences and have given consent.
Links to the wider Ruby community
Mama Tech | Tich Labs will help participants connect with the African Ruby community and, where appropriate, with WNB.rb Africa activities.
Thanks and acknowledgements
Somo Tech Literacy Centre sincerely thanks Mama Tech | Tich Labs for designing and facilitating the training, and Naijeria Toweett for her leadership and commitment to growing women’s participation in Ruby.
We thank WNB.rb for sponsoring transport and refreshments, and Goodwall for supporting the programmes we run at the hub. Most of all, we thank the 16 girls who gave up their Saturday to learn something new, and the parents, teachers and community members who encouraged them to attend.
Get involved
Join us in expanding access to technology skills for girls and young women in Kilifi. This is the beginning of a longer journey for women in technology, and we invite you to be part of it.
You can support this work by sponsoring training, mentoring a learner or partnering with Somiqo Hub. Send us a direct message or email somiqohub@somotechafrica.org to get involved.