Building a Digital Future Together: Leila Academy in Kenya

In Nairobi, the economic upswing has barely reached the most vulnerable groups: 22% of the population lives in poverty. Young women from informal settlements such as Kibera or Mathare, in particular, lack access to education and stable jobs. At the same time, the digital economy is booming in Kenya. Web design, e-commerce, and content creation offer enormous opportunities – they can be done from anywhere and do not require expensive infrastructure.

Our solution: A stepping stone into the digital economy
The Rhein-Donau Foundation is addressing this issue. In collaboration with the CALMO Agency, we have developed a practical training programme designed to prepare young women for modern career paths.

The curriculum includes 180 hours of intensive training and a 100-hour internship. Participants acquire marketable skills and build a professional portfolio, covering everything from web design (UX/UI) to SEO and AI tools. This paves the way to financial independence.

A Strong Partnership: Leila Academy & Kibondeni College

Our local partner is the renowned Kibondeni College, which has supported young women from low-income households aged 18 to 28 for over 60 years. Together, we are expanding the college’s existing culinary programme to include its first digital education offering. This initiative combines Kibondeni’s long-standing experience and values with the forward-thinking expertise of the Leila Academy.

Achieving sustainability through the ‘Training of Trainers’ model

Your donation will have a long-term impact as we will build on existing structures and embed knowledge locally.

• Year 1: intensive training for 25 participants, alongside the training of two local teachers.
• Year 2: The teachers lead the course independently under our mentorship.
• From Year 3 onwards, the programme will be fully transferred to the college’s own management, ensuring a sustainable future without external dependence.

Thanks to your support, we are helping young women in Kenya to take control of their own futures.