Metaverse Made Simple

The Sandbox DAO Grant Program OPEN: Education, Onboarding, Tech
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Category: Education, Onboarding & Technology
Applicant Location: Kenya
Budget: $1,550

  1. Project Overview
    Project Title: Metaverse Made Simple: A Community-Driven Sandbox Education Program in Rural Kenya
    “Metaverse Made Simple” is a three-month grassroots education and onboarding project aimed at introducing young tech enthusiasts, creatives, and students in rural Kenya (with a focus on Kisii and Nyamira counties) to The Sandbox ecosystem. The project targets digital underrepresentation by providing interactive workshops and curated onboarding tutorials that demystify metaverse development using free-to-access devices and community hubs.
    The core objective is to equip 60+ participants with hands-on knowledge of VoxEdit, Game Maker, and Sandbox LAND deployment, nurturing them from curious learners to active creators within the Sandbox ecosystem. Participants will also receive a curated digital starter kit and mentorship for their first NFT or experience submission.
    This low-cost, high-impact initiative will be delivered through structured hybrid sessions hosted in public libraries and community centers, using accessible, low-spec technology and translated resources in Swahili to lower entry barriers.
    Our goal is to create an evergreen, replicable model for localized Sandbox education in underrepresented regions.
  2. Problem Identification
    There is a significant knowledge and accessibility gap between The Sandbox ecosystem and rural African populations. Despite Africa’s growing youth population and mobile internet penetration, communities outside urban tech hubs lack exposure to Web3 platforms due to:
    • Limited training on game/NFT creation tools like VoxEdit or Game Maker.
    • Language barriers and lack of localized content.
    • Unaffordable devices or infrastructure to onboard independently.
    User interviews in Kisii indicated 80% had never heard of The Sandbox, though 65% were interested in virtual world creation once introduced. This program addresses the early knowledge and onboarding pipeline before talent is lost to opportunity gaps.
  3. Solution Approach
    We will create a community-first education and onboarding curriculum called “Metaverse Made Simple”, delivered over three months.
    Key components: - Weekly in-person/hybrid workshops hosted in community tech centers. - A 12-lesson modular course on The Sandbox (VoxEdit, Game Maker, LAND, monetization). - Translation and adaptation of Sandbox documentation to Swahili. - Launch of a shared student-built micro-experience using Game Maker. - Follow-up mentoring and access to a Discord support group.
    This approach combines localized instruction, hands-on training, and mentorship – ensuring practical understanding over theoretical instruction. Unlike online-only courses, this model reaches rural learners who lack consistent internet or awareness of the metaverse.
  4. Impact Measurement
    We will measure success using the following KPIs:
    Metric Target
    Learners onboarded 60+ across two counties
    Completed user-created assets/experiences 15+
    Participants submitting at least 1 asset 30
    Community-led Game Jam entries post-program 3
    Support queries reduced in follow-up period 20% drop from baseline
    Post-training retention (Discord group) 40+ active members after 1 mo
    We will conduct exit surveys and track user submissions to measure long-term success.

  1. Technical Implementation & Timeline
    Milestone Deliverables Expected Completion Date % of Total Grant How to Demonstrate
    #1 Curriculum Design + Translations (EN–Swahili) Month 1 15% Share PDF curriculum and lesson plan files
    #2 Community Workshop Setup Month 1 25% Photos, MOUs with centers
    #3 Training Sessions & Participant Projects Month 2 35% Attendance sheets, photos, project samples
    #4 Showcase + Community Support Launch Month 3 25% Event photos, Discord link, final report

  2. Team Qualifications
    Lead: Miriam Nyaboke – Digital literacy educator and community mobilizer with 5+ years’ experience in rural youth tech training. Led a Meta-backed program on Web3 literacy in 2023.
    Tech Mentor: Brian Otieno – Game developer and 3D artist. Has submitted assets to The Sandbox and taught Game Maker tools at iHub Nairobi.
    Translator/Content Curator: Pauline Kerubo – Multilingual content creator, previously contracted to localize tools for Mozilla Africa.
    Together, we combine metaverse experience, grassroots organizing, and local insight.

  3. Budget Allocation & Sustainability
    Item Amount (USD)
    Curriculum development + translation $200
    Venue rental and community internet (3 mo) $300
    Equipment (2 refurbished PCs + accessories) $450
    Educational materials and printing $150
    Trainer and mentor stipends (2 part-time) $250
    Showcase and completion incentives $100
    Communication, transport, contingency $100
    Total $1,550
    Post-grant, the curriculum and devices will be donated to community centers for sustained use. We plan to replicate the model across three more counties by seeking local sponsors and exploring DAO funding for scale.
    I heard about the Sandbox DAO Grants Program Via community Twitter/X spaces.

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