“My mind was blown!” says Africa VR Campus and Center Founder/CEO Paul Simon Waiyaki.

He’s describing his own introduction to virtual reality. But what he’s also describing, is the cornerstone of his current work.

As the first African in the metaverse, Waiyaki, who’s based in Nairobi, Kenya, has created a virtual network of communities. Africa VR Campus and Center is, as their website says, “a place and a network for young Africans in VR for Social Change.”

Part of Waiyaki’s work involves taking VR headsets around to local schools with limited resources. Teachers and students alike have been amazed at the opportunities the technology allows. These include experiencing space travel, going anywhere in the world and looking at microorganisms up close in a science class.

Most importantly, though, virtual reality allows for interaction.

Virtual innovation

The emerging Africa VR Network currently includes nine different programs which use VR as an instrument for social good.

Among these is XR Girls Africa–a program which supports young women, with a focus on education and future career skills. Working in tandem with Girls STEAM Institute, girls from this program entered a virtual business-concept competition. Competing with teams of young women from all over the world, their business concept won first place!

XR Girls Africa also host events in Engage, in which they discuss the issues currently facing young women in their communities. Their next meetup happens Wednesday, February 26th at 6:00 am Pacific, 9:00 am Eastern, on the Engage VR platform, and you’re invited!

An outreach to the world

Then, there’s Africa VR Campus and Center’s educational outreach–to familiarize the rest of the world with African history and culture.

“Let Africa speak for itself,” Waiyaki says, of the ways mainstream media currently portrays his continent.

Accordingly, every Thursday, he hosts virtual-reality meetups, to which all are welcome to come and learn more about the stories, music and history of Africa. (This event happens at 11:00 am Pacific time, in Engage.)

And for Waiyaki and his team, these are just the first steps in creating a better future–to which he’d like to invite anyone who can attend virtually!

Waiyaki shared the story of becoming the first African in the metaverse, talked about creating Africa VR Campus and Center, and shared a closer look at the current programs–and what’s next.

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• Waiyaki’s memories from his growing-up years;

• His own introduction to virtual reality, and how he subsequently came to bring the technology to Nairobi;

• The story of the Africa VR Campus and Center;

• How Africa VR Campus and Center’s weekly metaverse events came about;

• Why these conversations will lead to more authentic perceptions of Africa;

• One of the aspects of African culture which Waiyaki shared with an attendee;

• A closer look at Africa VR Campus and Center’s educational outreach;

• And, a closer look at XR Girls Africa and their competition win, as well as the tech skills they’re learning;

• A shout-out to some of the supporters of Africa VR Campus and Center;

• Waiyaki’s vision for the future;

• How you can get involved, to support Africa VR Campus and Center’s programs (hint: it doesn’t necessarily have to be financial support!).