Six months ago, the East African Impact Hub brought the power of technology to Ruziba, a rural community on the outskirts of Bujumbura. In partnership with Transformed to Transform Nations, we offered forty young people aged 13 to 21 their very first hands-on experience with laptops.
For many of them, this was not just an introduction to technology, it was an encounter with possibility. With the support of twenty passionate volunteers, the youth explored how digital skills can open doors to learning, creativity, and self-reliance.Laughter, curiosity, and excitement filled the room as each participant, many encountering a computer for the very first time, navigated the digital world, typing their names, exploring the internet, and discovering it was far more accessible than they had ever imagined.Among them was Eddy, 17, who dreams of becoming a journalist. That day, as he typed his first words on a keyboard, he shared how understanding digital tools would help him tell the stories of his community and make the voices of young people heard.
By the end of the session, many participants began connecting their aspirations—becoming engineers, doctors, designers, and entrepreneurs—to the digital skills that could turn those dreams into reality.
For the East African Impact Hub, this initiative was more than a learning experience. It was a reminder that access to knowledge and technology empowers young people to shape their futures, build stronger communities, and contribute to lasting peace and sustainability. When youth are equipped to dream and to act, they become the architects of a more inclusive and hopeful tomorrow.