TECHLIT AFRICA - Key Persons
Allan is a photographer, journalist and the founder of KE Media. With TechLit he inspires students with his passion for video production. Students learn to use video editing software with Allan.
Job Titles:
- Asset Manager
- Kenya Finance Lead
Collins Rocky is an MC and reliable asset manager. Outside of managing assets, hosting events and reporting on finances for TechLit Kenya, he hosts evens and produces videos for diverse clients.
I am Collins Rocky. I am 22 years old. I am a Finance lead at TechLit Kenya and a content manager Help Aid Africa. I was born and raised in Mogotio, Kenya. I went to Mogotio Primary, graduated in 2015 and joined Kisanana Boys. For as long as I can remember, I have always dreamt of being an anchor at CNN.
When I joined high school I got a bigger platform to sharpen my skill. I would MC as many events as they would let me. I even got a chance to read the news on weekly school assemblies. The opportunities I got in high gave me a lot of confidence and brought me closely to achieving my dreams. Shortly after I was being invited to be an MC at wedding parties. I was only a sophomore in high school and barely 16. I used the income I got from the events to pay for my high school tuition and offset the burden on my mum.
Seeing that I could support my mum and also practice on my presenters skills really motivated me to pick up more MC gigs during the holidays. After I graduated high school, I wanted to join university and study journalism but I knew that was not an option. I was the first in my family and my single mother had my younger siblings to educate. So I sought out to do more gigs so I could support my siblings.
I was doing a few events, acting gigs and even facebook lives when I came across TechLit Africa. At TechLit Africa I have gotten a steady stream of income for a year now. With this income, I have been able to pay for my sister's high school. Through TechLit Africa in partnership with European Business University (EBU) I enrolled in remote classes and I am now working on getting my CPA.
I have made tremendous steps towards my dream of being a journalist. I started my own Media Company Mogotio TV. The goal is to tell really captivating stories of our flourishing town.
Job Titles:
- LibreOffice Writer
- School Lead Educator
- Student Architect at Mogotio Primary
Denis is our school lead educator in Mogotio Primary School.
Five plus years ago, I met Tyler and Nelly when they appeared at a volunteer event for the World Computer Exchange. I could tell from day one that they had a passion for reaching children with technology.
Soon after that meeting I learned of their plans for TechLit Africa. As I became more involved in their work I began to understand that TechLit Africa's mission was to not just support and train children in using technology but also provide examples of what was possible in their lives.
Prior to my involvement with TechLit Africa I spent 16yrs as the Chicago Coordinator for the World Computer Exchange which shipped refurbished computer to overseas classrooms. Before that I taught high school in the US and worked a a tech/curriculum specialist. That experience is what I hope to bring as a Board member to TechLit Africa. I am committed to helping this great adventure in broadening the choices for kids in Africa.
Jack serves on our board and coordinates volunteers and logistics in Chicago. He served for 16 years as the Chicago Coordinator for World Computer Exchange after retiring from his career in education.
Job Titles:
- Graphic Design / Inkscape
- School Lead Educator
I met Nelly in 2011 when she started at Augustana College, because our church, Trinity Lutheran Church, Moline, was sponsoring her. She soon became a member of our family, and we've offered support as needed and cheered each accomplishment.
In our living room one Thanksgiving she and Tyler began sharing their vision for an organization that could help overcome the digital divide in Africa, and they named it that evening. I was honored to serve as the first member of the board, which I now chair. I've been able to offer my observations and experience serving on various nonprofit boards in my community as to how a board functions and some principles of fundraising.
Jane Bahls has known Nelly since she started at Augustana College, in 2011. From the beginning, she has been an avid supporter and led our board of directors.
Job Titles:
- Internet Security / Inkscape
- Kenya Capacity Lead
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Financial Consultant With a Heart for Africa
I met Nelly in Chicago in 2019 at the introduction of Steve Bahls, Jane's husband and the President of Augustana College, from where both he (2010) and Nelly (2016) graduated.
Similar to Nelly, I had left a corporate job years prior to help build organizations and support entrepreneurs throughout Africa. While working with leaders and entrepreneurs through the African Leadership Group, I became inspired by the role of entrepreneurship in addressing social issues and driving economic change in emerging markets. I also was excited by the opportunity for technology-enabled businesses to leapfrog legacy models and stages of development.
Nelly and Tyler invited me to join TechLit's board in 2020. I am very grateful to support an 'Augie' alum and her partner as they scale their vision and bring technology and skill development programs to youth and schools across Africa.
Matt Pelton is a financial consultant with a heart for Africa. He has helped build organizations and support entrepreneurs throughout Africa. Now, he also serves as a TechLit board member.
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Founder
- CEO CNN Hero Forbes under 30
- CEO of Tech
- S Story
Nelly is easy to contact! You can find Nelly Cheboi's business email and business phone here: https://techlitafrica.org/contact-nelly-cheboi
Nelly Cheboi is the CEO of TechLit Africa and Zawadi Yetu. Nelly is very available for meetings, and responds promptly to linkedIn messages and emails. You shouldn't hesitate to reach our via LinkedIn, WhatsApp or Email with questions and business inquiries.
There are many ways to reach Nelly Cheboi:
Nelly Cheboi's business email is: nellycheboi@techlitafrica.org
Nelly manages TechLit's WhatsApp business account in Kenya: +254758462122
Nelly answers TechLit's business cell phone: +254758462122
Nelly manages TechLit's WhatsApp for business: +254758462122
Nelly manages TechLit's WhatsApp business account in Kenya. This WhatsApp line is used to discuss TechLit computer classes with primary schools in Kenya.
Nelly studied in Mogotio primary then MaryHills high school before pursing her higher learning at Augustana College in Illinois, USA. During her time in college, she built a private school in Mogotio, Kenya. Her school is now a multi-story campus called Zawadi Yetu.
Nelly is now the CEO of TechLit Africa. She founded TechLit Africa with Tyler Cinnamon in 2018. The goal of TechLit is to disrupt poverty in rural Africa with used technology.
In December, 2021, Forbes announced Nelly Cheboi as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Nelly is being recognized for her work further education in rural Kenya.
Nelly is always happy to answer any questions you my have. She is very candid and relatable. If you are looking to learn more about her checkout the profile CNN did on her watch Nelly Cheboi's CNN video or read various blog posts from her.
What is Meeting Nelly Cheboi Like?
Nelly genuinely cares about people, it does not matter who you are, she just wants everyone to be happy. She has such a positive energy and most people leave feeling inspired after meeting her. She is very relatable, down to earth and candid. Reach out, she is only an email away.
Nelly has an inspiring story about overcoming adversity and finding hope in the future.
Nelly quickly responds to emails about TechLit Africa and Zawadi Yetu. You can email Nelly on her techlit africa email: nellycheboi@techlitafrica.org.
Nelly is always happy to answer any questions you my have. If you are looking to learn more about her checkout the profile CNN did on her watch Nelly Cheboi's CNN video or read various blog posts from her.
Nelly Cheboi is a celebrated social entrepreneur, Forbes 30 under 30 honoree, and CNN Hero. After growing up in rural Kenya and lifting her family out of poverty, she focused on her community.
I founded TechLit with Nelly in 2018. We were living and working together in a small apartment in Chicago. Nelly had the idea to teach technology in Kenya by building schools, and I said: "the schools already exist, we just need the computers classes." Since then, I have worn many hats, from connecting hardware and software to lifting boxes and teaching classes.
Before TechLit I was a self-taught software engineer. I was immersed in programming from a young age, first hacking on TI calculators and visual languages, and eventually building websites and flash games.
Now I'm bringing my love of software and ambitious optimism to TechLit, because I believe everyone in the world should be able to use recent technology. I think we can use technology this way to make humankind as a whole more equitable and efficient.
Tyler Cinnamon is a American programmer and entrepreneur. He started TechLit Africa with Nelly Cheboi in 2018 to disrupt poverty with used IT devices.