In the heart of East Africa, a quiet revolution is taking place. Club Tangaza, founded in 2019, is not just another coding bootcamp or tech education platform, it’s a movement reshaping the future of technology education and empowering the next generation of innovators.
The story of Club Tangaza begins with a simple yet powerful idea: start early, master early, and become highly skilled. This vision was born from the founder, Cleopatra Kanyunyuzi’s experience at a Women in Tech program in 2019, where she recognized a glaring gap in the tech education landscape.
“I realized that while there was immense potential within our community, access to early training opportunities, foundational knowledge, and networking was limited,” Kanyunyuzi told PC Tech Magazine. This realization sparked a mission to create a platform that would introduce computer programming and coding to learners at an early age, enabling them to achieve early mastery.
Bridging the gap between Academia and Industry
One of the most significant challenges in tech education is the disconnect between academic learning and industry requirements. Club Tangaza aims to bridge this gap by focusing on practical, hands-on learning experiences that complement theoretical knowledge.
Kanyunyuzi emphasizes, “While academic programs often provide foundational concepts, they can lack the real-world context and industry-relevant skills needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving tech sector.” Club Tangaza addresses this by introducing learners to beginner-friendly programming early, equipping them with the tools to experiment and build real-world projects from a young age.
Club Tangaza offers a wide range of programs tailored to meet the needs of learners at different stages of their tech journey. From computer literacy for children and adults to advanced software development and robotics, the organization ensures that there’s something for everyone.
- Computer Literacy: Essential skills in office applications, internet navigation, and basic troubleshooting are taught to children and adults.
- Coding for Kids: Interactive methods are used to teach coding concepts, ensuring children learn while having fun and developing critical thinking skills.
- Software Development: Focusing on web and mobile app development, participants gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and frameworks.
- Robotics: Students get hands-on experience building and programming robots, fostering creativity, problem-solving, and an understanding of engineering concepts.
- Graphic Design: Learners gain skills to create logos, posters, and digital content, understanding visual communication and color theory.
The organization also offers customized programs, special holiday programs for children, adult computer literacy programs, and partnerships with schools to integrate technology-focused programs into their curriculum.
Overcoming challenges
The journey of Club Tangaza hasn’t been without its hurdles. Limited access to resources, creating awareness about the importance of early tech education, and financial constraints have been some of the major challenges faced by the organization.
“Balancing affordability for learners with the sustainability of the organization has been a key trade-off,” Kanyunyuzi admits. “We aim to keep our programs accessible while ensuring we can cover operational costs, acquire materials, and hire skilled instructors”.
Despite these challenges, Club Tangaza has made significant strides. The organization has successfully established an online learning model that has allowed it to reach learners across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Congo, the US, and the UK.
Since its inception in December 2019, Club Tangaza has enrolled over 300 students in its programs.
Addressing the gender gap in tech
Club Tangaza is also committed to addressing the gender disparity in tech education. The organization has adopted several strategies to increase female enrollment and retention rates, including creating a supportive environment, early engagement, mentorship opportunities, and ensuring affordability and access.
“We design programs and learning spaces that are inclusive, safe, and encouraging for girls,” Kanyunyuzi explains. “This includes having female instructors and role models to inspire confidence and a sense of belonging”.
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One of the most innovative aspects of Club Tangaza’s approach is its focus on making coding accessible to children as young as four years old.
Explaining their strategy, Kanyunyuzi said, “We use visually engaging tools like CodeMonkey Jr, ScratchJr, and Code.org, which are designed specifically for young children. These platforms allow kids to build simple programs by dragging and dropping colorful blocks, making coding feel like a fun game rather than a complex task”.
The impact of Club Tangaza’s programs is evident in the success stories of its students. Many students, especially those who have been with the organization for an extended period, have mastered up to four different programming languages. These students, some of whom are about to finish high school, have gained not only technical expertise but also the confidence to pursue careers in technology.
“At the end of each course, students produce websites, web apps, mobile apps, and graphic designs—real-world skills they can be proud of,” Kanyunyuzi shares with pride.
