Knit2Code

Knit2Code teaches children the Python coding language through knitting ensuring that children with no computers can also learn to code.

Only 38% of the global population owns a computer. The majority of schools in the developing world do not have computer labs or internet. Some children still don’t have schools or toilets. In fact last week a 5 year old girl in South Africa fell into a pit toilet and died while at school. The priority can’t be building computer labs when some children are still learning under trees. 

Digital literacy is important to prepare children for jobs of the future. Throughout history, jobs have disappeared and new jobs have taken their place. We no longer need gas lamplighters or matchmakers. Other jobs were unknown years ago: web designers, app developers, biotechnologists. The future holds as yet unheard of job roles within IT and alternative energy. But how do we prepare poor children when they don't have the basic infrastructure? We need to remove the computer from teaching computing if we are to level the playing field, break the cycle of disadvantage and prepare children for the 4th industrial revolution. Knitting is an answer.

The similarities between a knitting pattern and a computer program are stunning. Knitting uses the same type of loops, conditions and concepts of functions as a computer language. “Knits” and “purls” are essentially the 0s and 1s of computer programming, and when used in infinite combinations, can create as much variation as any code. Learning to knit, then, is a self-obvious stepping-stone to learning to code.

Knit2code is aimed at showing that the same logical thinking required for coding is the same as those required for knitting. It also reinforces connections between generations of women, encouraging them to see themselves not only as domestic agents but also as agents of change.  It's about bringing multiple generations together and showing how an ancient skill can be used to teach a 21st centuary skill.

How do pilots learn to fly? Pilots don’t just jump on a plane and fly. They learn on a simulator.   Knit2code works in a similar fashion. It serves as a simulator for coding. The children learn to code without even touching a computer. Imagine what this means for the 90% of people in Africa who do not have access to computer or the internet?  By thinking differently about coding and creating simulators for coding, we remove the biggest barrier the majority of poor communities have to learning how to code. THE COMPUTER.

This project will not only solve the lack of girls in STEM by getting their mothers and grandmothers to teach them but also the lack of qualified teachers. It will also ensure that the majority of poor people in developing countries are not left behind in the fourth industrial revolution by teaching them how to code through knitting. The investment required to build computer labs in schools is unaffordable for majority of governments in the developing and the bread and butter issues such as providing basic services trumps the need for investment in technology education at schools.

Our solution teaches the foundation of Python through knitting. The children write a python code of what they have knitted. This gives children who do not have access to computers an opportunity to learn how to code and spark an interest in coding especially for young girls and disadvantaged communities. We teach computing without a computer. Computing as a tradition.

We introduce technology to people who wouldn't otherwise have the opportunity due to their social status. Its about bringing technology education to the poor.

Our vision is to launch more Knit2code clubs across South Africa and Lesotho. The vision is to sell the projects knitted by the children as well as their code to support the women who are mostly unemployed.

Our vision over the next five years is to scale into SADC countries in Africa where we will train women to teach girls knitting while imparting the 21st centuary skills and also earn an income.

Our model works with schools and community centre. We train teachers and unemployed women to teach the girls Knit2Code. We will continue this model. We are currently creating a platform where the women would sell what they create together with its accompanying code.

Currently we serve 1500 girls, 100 teachers and 250 women in 10 schools.

Our vision is to scale into 50 rural and urban schools during the 2018/19 financial year.

Our team jointly have over 40 years of experience between ourselves in business, marketing and IT. Our board chair is an executive at one of South Africa's largest bank.

We are a non-profit organisation. 

I am applying to solve for the opportunity to have experts evaluate our innovation and hopefully gain mentors and advisors who can help our project scale and succeed.

One of the key barriers are the resources to scale but most important lack of access to advisors who can guide us and help us succeed. I am hoping that solve will link us to such people or organisations.