Meet Nuru: The Programming Language Built for African Classrooms
Empowering Longido: How Nuru Is Opening Doors to Digital Skills
At Teksafari, we believe that every student, no matter where they live, should have access to high-quality technology education. That’s why we created Nuru, a Swahili-based programming language designed specifically for African classrooms. Its goal is simple: make coding intuitive, relatable, and fun for students, especially those in rural areas who often lack access to digital learning resources.
Students being introduced to Nuru programming language for the first time.
Last month, we took a major step toward that vision by introducing Nuru at Longido Secondary School in Arusha Region. From the moment the first lesson started, excitement filled the classrooms. Students who had never written a line of code before were suddenly creating simple programs, seeing how coding can be both understandable and empowering in their own language.
Our COO David Mpinzile speaking with the students
Nuru in Action: Young Minds at Work
For their first projects, students created a simple calculator that could add numbers. They wrote lines of code in Swahili, using commands like "andika" to display messages and interact with the program.
A moment captured as a student tries Nuru
Students writing their first lines of code
Celebrating Effort: Recognizing Students Hard Work
To celebrate dedication and hard work, a few exceptionally engaged students were awarded personal notebooks to document their journey with Nuru. These notebooks will help them record their projects and ideas as they continue exploring programming.
COO David Mpinzile Awards a Student
Our COO, David, presents a prize to one of the standout students for their enthusiasm and commitment during the Nuru sessions.The prize-giving was a highlight of the day. Beyond the notebooks, it was a moment to celebrate creativity, and curiosity. Watching students light up as they were acknowledged reminded everyone that learning is not just about skills, It’s also about encouragement, recognition, and believing in one’s potential.
Joyful Moments: Students with Their Prizes
Some of the standout students at Longido Secondary School proudly show the personal notebooks they received for their participation in the Nuru programming sessions.Sharing Stories and Testimonials
As part of the Nuru pilot, our team shared personal stories and testimonials to motivate students. Shamila, our Associate Executive Director, spoke to the girls in particular, sharing her own journey from the challenges she faced early in life to becoming a leader in tech today. Her story was more than words; it was a living example that girls can thrive in STEM and coding, no matter where they start.
Shamila speaking to the students during the session.
Shamila shares her journey to inspire young girls at Longido Secondary School.She made it clear that STEM and coding aren’t just for boys, they’re for everyone, and that it’s time to bridge the gap that’s kept many girls from these opportunities for too long.
Shamila with some of the students at the follow up session
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Nuru
The Teksafari team outside Longido Secondary School, celebrating the successful launch of Nuru.
The pilot at Longido Secondary School was more than just a launch, It was a glimpse into what’s possible when technology education meets curiosity, creativity, and community. From students writing their first lines of code in Swahili to teachers embracing new ways to teach, every moment showed the potential of Nuru to make learning meaningful and fun.
This is just the beginning. With Nuru, the journey continues lighting the path for more students, in more schools, across Tanzania and beyond.