What began as a simple idea in Her Innovation Cameroon’s (HIC) offices grew into a full-fledged training programme and its first cohort has just graduated with something to show for it.
From July 20th to August 20th 2026, HIC’s Centre in Buea welcomed 7 young people for an intensive, five-week Basic Computer Training programme. Most came in with little more than what they’d picked up in a school computer class here and there. By the end, they were typing confidently in Microsoft Word, designing documents, and thinking seriously about a future in tech.
Week by Week: A Journey from Curiosity to Confidence
Week 1 – Getting Acquainted The programme opened with registration, a pre-test to gauge each learner’s starting point, and an orientation to HIC’s learning environment. Learners met their instructor and each other, and were introduced to the basics of computer hardware; the parts of a machine they could actually see and touch. A movie session on the history of computers helped ground the training in context, tracing the machine’s evolution back to the 1970s and beyond.
Week 2 – Software and Navigation With hardware covered, learners moved on to software; the “invisible” side of computing. They learned to create and organise folders, save files properly, and navigate a computer system with ease.
Week 3 – Meeting Microsoft Word This week introduced learners to Microsoft Word and its many tabs, starting with the Home tab: text alignment, formatting, and the everyday tools needed to type comfortably and confidently. Curiosity quickly turned into satisfaction as theory gave way to hands-on typing practice.
Week 4 – From Theory to Practice Learners dove into design, layout, and Word’s Insert tools, applying what they’d learned to real documents. By the end of the week, they could recreate CVs, report cards, and agreement documents; practical skills with everyday value.
Throughout the month, Thursdays were reserved for movies exploring the world and history of computing, while Tuesdays focused on career guidance; helping learners see themselves in STEM fields and imagine what a future in tech could look like for them.
The programme closed with supervised final projects and a certificate ceremony, celebrating all 7 graduates for their commitment and growth.
Challenges We Encountered
No first cohort is without its lessons, and HIC is committed to being transparent about them:
- Low female participation. Of the 7 learners in this cohort, only one was a girl, a gap that runs counter to HIC’s core mission of advancing gender equity in STEM. It’s a clear signal that more deliberate outreach is needed to reach and encourage girls in the community to take part.
- Financial barriers. The programme was designed with a modest registration fee of 3,000 FCFA, intended to cover basic costs and encourage commitment. However, several parents were unable to afford even this small amount. Rather than turn learners away, HIC made the decision to run the training free of charge, a choice that reflects our values, but one that also highlights the real economic barriers many families in Buea and Cameroon as a whole face.
Looking Ahead: Recommendations
Building on this first cohort, HIC is exploring ways to strengthen future editions of the programme:
- Targeted outreach to girls and their families, including partnerships with local schools, community leaders, and parent groups to address any social or cultural barriers keeping girls from enrolling.
- A sponsorship or scholarship model for the registration fee, so that no family is priced out of the programme, while preserving a small cost-sharing structure where possible.
- Flexible payment options, such as in-kind contributions or instalments, for families facing financial hardship.
- Dedicated girls’ cohorts or mentorship pairings, connecting female learners with women already working in tech, to build confidence and a stronger sense of belonging.
A Strong Foundation
Despite these challenges, HIC’s first Basic Digital Literacy Bootcamp cohort is proof of what’s possible when young people are given the space, tools, and encouragement to grow. Seven learners walked in as novices and walked out able to type, design, and imagine new possibilities for their futures. With the lessons from this cohort in hand, HIC is already thinking about how to make the next one even more inclusive and accessible.
Interested in supporting HIC’s Basic Digital Literacy Bootcamp, whether through sponsorship, volunteering, or partnership? Reach out to Her Innovation Cameroon to learn how you can help close the gap.Email us at hic@herinnovation.org or WhatsApp us at +237679126903
