What does Smallbean do?

Smallbean is closing the technology gap with our Citizen Archivist Project. The Citizen Archivist Project teaches technology and computer skills integral for job creation and sustainable economic growth while documenting community life around the world. Our initiatives are enabled by solar power and the in-kind donation of personal electronics.

Participants in the Citizen Archivist Project learn technology and computer skills while uploading and processing oral history interviews, photographs and video footage capturing a snapshot of life in communities around the world through the eyes of local citizens. In addition to gaining computer and technology skills that improve university and job prospects via Smallbean’s innovative “learn by doing” curriculum, students in the Citizen Archivist Project learn the significance of documenting and preserving their community culture.

Smallbean is currently active in Kenya, Tanzania, and Brighton, MA. Current and future Smallbean site locations are selected based upon the strength of our on-the-ground partner organizations and the presence of endangered languages in the project vicinity. 

Smallbean Citizen Archivist Project, Kwala, Tanzania

What has Smallbean Accomplished?

In February 2010, Smallbean launched our first project in Tanzania. We successfully installed a solar-powered computer lab and taught the Citizen Archivist Project to a class of high school students who had virtually no previous exposure to computers. This spring, Smallbean also brought the Citizen Archivist Project to the Brighton neighborhood of Boston. Our Brighton Project was selected as one of three outstanding science and technology programs in Massachusetts and was presented at the Massachusetts State House this May.

Smallbean Citizen Archivist Project, Brighton, MA

In July 2010, Smallbean established Citizen Archivist Project sites at four library locations (Elangata Wuas, Kibera, Busia, and Lamu) in Kenya as part of our MobileCAP initiative. Citizen Archivists and librarians at each Kenya site have begun gathering oral history interviews, photographs and video footage. In addition to teaching technology skills and linking these libraries to the resources that exist in Nairobi and beyond, the Smallbean MobileCAP initiative in Kenya is focused on the collection, translation and preservation of Kenyan tribal dialects.

Smallbean Citizen Archivist Project, Lamu, Kenya

What is Smallbean Doing Next?

The Smallbean MobileCAP is a fully portable version of a Citizen Archivist Project technology lab, all in a single backpack. Smallbean seeks to expand its MobileCAP initiative by working with qualified on-the-ground partners to establish Citizen Archivist Project sites at additional global locations. Current and future Smallbean site locations will be chosen based upon the strength of on-the-ground partners and the presence of endangered languages in the project vicinity. If you or your organization are interested in potentially working with Smallbean, please complete the online application or contact Smallbean directly for more details. 

Smallbean Citizen Archivist Project, Busia, Kenya

Legal Stuff

Smallbean is a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts and founded in June 2009.