How l became a programmer without a computer

By instinct, when you hear the word "programmer" the first thing that comes to your mind is a computer, and not just a mediocre computer but literally a workstation, with many wires running under the table or somewhere. 

Now imagine if someone told you they are a programmer but don't own a computer!

You would be sceptical, wouldn't you? 

Like where do they even programme? Are they even in their right mind? 

Well, a while ago, l was attending an event called She-STEM at The American Centre and one of the topics that were discussed was The Digital Divide in the run to improve the uptake of STEM courses and careers by women. 

Digital Divide refers to the gap between people who have ready access to computers and the internet and those who do not have that access. 

If you did not grow up in Kampala, l know the term now makes a lot of sense to you. 

Growing up, power was a myth, later on internet! But we saw it all through, here l am, the first computer engineer in the clan, well on paper.

My love for tech could have stemmed from the fact that it wasn't available while growing up (in my mind). For as long as l can remember, l wanted to do anything and everything around tech, from software to computer engineering. 

Keep in mind that l had never seen a laptop but l was fortunate enough to go to a school that had a computer laboratory and that was like my first love. 

While everyone rushed to the computer lab to talk to their friends and family on Facebook, l would be practising Microsoft tools because let's face it, in my family no one even had a smartphone to access Facebook. 

Fast forward to university and l had been admitted on computer engineering, and it gets better, on government scholarship! 

It was like Christmas at home. The fact that we wouldn't afford university to begin with, and here l was, being handed my dream course with full tuition!! 

Four years and a world pandemic later, l was "crowned" a computer engineer on March 19th 2021. 

I will not lie that it was the happiest day of my life because, for starters, l graduated on TV, and l had not even washed my face! Plus, the field wasn't something l was very much looking forward to. 

So let's just say, l was glad that journey was over. 

Oh, this is where l need to add that by this time, l didn't own a computer. I had had some along the way but you know how it goes. 

Now l had to look for a career in the fields well known to a computer engineer, ie, programmer, hardware specialist, Networking, Cyber security, and so on. 

I had lied to myself that l preferred the programming route but the pandemic had opened my eyes that l was indeed lying to myself. 

Before l knew it, l was enrolled in a software development boot camp at Refactory, thanks to a friend who paid for me that 1 million tuition. At this rate, if l don't say that God is alive, l would be lying. 

This is an intensive programming course for 3 months and l was going to do it without a computer and homeless (that's a story for another day). 

Did l think about quitting? Everyday! 

Did l think about the connections it could get me? Everyday!

I had given up on being a programmer but l was required to do all the programming work for me to graduate from this program, so l programmed or something like that. 

So how can we enforce STEM with the prevailing Digital Divide?

When l say this is from personal experience, l think it will be a suitable use of the phrase. 

• Know exactly what you want and don't lose focus.

We have already established that l have always known l wanted to be around tech and l made sure everything l did was bringing me closer to that goal. 

I knew what subjects l needed to focus on to get a tech-related course at university. It may not go that far for you but make sure that your goals are crystal clear. 

• Network, network, network. 

The power of networking can never be stressed enough. Aim at making friends in the fields you want to see yourself in. They will know what you're talking about, you will know where to go when you need help and they will make the whole journey fun and worthwhile. 

When l was homeless, it was a friend who took me in! I can't begin to count the number of times l was asked how l knew her. 

Your family may not understand what you're working towards and may not even be receptive to your ideas but if you have two or three people that understand what you're doing, that's enough. 

Move out of that village, you will not make enough money to extend electricity, well not for now but you don't have to always be home for holidays! 

Plan with a couple of your friends (who are working towards the same goal) and find a place to stay together in town, closer to a cafe where you have access to a computer. 

I know it's a long shot but it's definitely better than buying a 1 million solar panel for your home in the village. 

• Be a go-getter. 

Keep your eyes and ears open for any opportunities. You would be surprised how many free study opportunities are out there but because you're always like, am not a Facebook person, l don't use social media, those things are for rich people, you will never get them. 

Browse through the internet every single day, sign up for newsletters, join communities whether physical or online. 

One thing you should always have is data, l only load voice bundles when l want to talk to my mum in the village but internet is like a basic need for me. 

I don't see the digital divide disappearing soon and yet we have to keep moving, so it's definitely upon you to fight for what you want. 

I still don't have a computer up to now but has it stopped me from going after what l want? 

Ohh am not a programmer, that ship sailed but well l think you get the idea. 

Address by Eng. Elizabeth 😊

Thriving in STEM amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

 Fundi Girls champions talk series. 

So today, 11/12/2021, l had the opportunity to speak at a Fundi Girls event about how we can encourage more young girls to get involved in STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics). 

Well, let's start from what Fundi Girls are, this is a community program under Fundi Bots that works towards encouraging more participation of girls in STEM creating a safe space where these girls can interact, share, network, and get mentorship. Throughout their almost  5 years of existence, Fundi Girls has impacted over 6000 girls all through Uganda! 

Anyways, back to the champions talk. the keynote speaker was Captain Farida Ashaba, a private pilot, TEDx speaker, philanthropist and CEO of bambinolife256. 

How can we young girls be encouraged to take pursue careers in STEM harnessing their full potential even with the constraints the pandemic has imposed on us? 

STEM has always been an undeniably hard field to navigate but with the right mentorship, and guidance it can be seen through. the following are some of the points that were shared on how to smoothly ( okay a little) navigate through STEM. 

• Make the right company of friends surround yourself with friends that want to see you grow in STEM,  the company you hang around will most likely keep you or drive you off your desired path. true connections should come from within and not from what you expect to get from the people. 
• Be true to what you want to achieve and work hard towards achieving it no matter how hard it gets. do it scared but do it! once something scares you, it's indication enough that it will help you grow. 
• leverage communities that help people thrive in STEM for example Fundi Girls, Fundi Bots.
• Be in the know of what activities that support STEM are taking place and show up for them. how you get to know of such activities is by getting yourself in STEM circles and communities. 
• Continuously work towards achieving your goals, it is a journey you will not achieve overnight but rather step by step. 
• Be an ambassador of STEM communities you know, preach them to everyone that shows interest in pursuing the same path and you never know how beneficial it could be to them. 
• Don't dwell on the pandemic, it's almost 3 years and new variants are coming up day by day so when will you wait for the storm to calm down before you can get back to working towards your goals?
• Find a balance between feeding your career and your personal/social life. do everything in the time it needs to be done, party, code, and pray!
• Invest your time wisely, know your worth and know when to walk away from an environment, a situation that's no longer fostering your growth. 
• Preach equality but do the work. just because you're a woman will not open for you every door, men are working tirelessly for these positions and so should you.
•  Do not compare yourself with others, your journey is personally tailored for you. you are the innovator in your journey and at the same time the problem solver of all the obstacles you encounter on that journey. 
• Be authentic to yourself, take on what you can manage, find a balance and this will keep your mental headspace clear. 
• Do not succumb to pressure and societal expectations, set your own expectations and work towards meeting those expectations at your own pace. stop looking at your age mates who are happily married and you don't even have a boyfriend, the ones with steady jobs and yet you are still volunteering, do what you love and do it with passion. there's no amount of time wasted in doing what you love. 
• And all in all, be good to others for that same goodness will come back to you in forms you don't even expect. 

with all this said, pose these questions to yourself;

What have you done to empower young girls back in your hometown? 

Are you ready to take on the challenge to be a mentor to that little girl that has a passion for STEM?

For more details about the event, visit the Fundi Girls social platforms.