"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 is 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: from experiencing space travel to 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 in education and encourages them to learn 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 his continent is currently portrayed in mainstream media.

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.