One of the school’s top priorities is to
enable children
to become proficient in computer use and to be able to
access the internet for use in their studies. Apart from
broadening their access to knowledge, this should greatly
improve their employment prospects and further education
qualifications at a time when Kenya is rapidly expanding
computer access through installing fibre-optic cables across
the country. The Community is also keen to begin to link its
members to the outside world. The nearest access to
computers at the moment is an internet point almost 20 km
away in the district town of Bondo.
Contributions
Anyone wishing to contribute may either send a cheque to
George MacMillan (see below), who has opened a special bank
account for the purpose, or contribute through the charity
PEAS, using the donation form that can be downloaded
here.
This option has the advantage that donations by UK
taxpayers can benefit from “gift aid”. If using the PEAS
form, please write, under Purpose of Donation, Computer
Fund, unless you want your donation to be used to finance
bursaries or further construction at the school – which
George says he would understand!
Please print out and complete the
donation form and return it with your cheque to
the address provided.
As part of the 2009 building programme, a computer
training room was constructed. The goal this year is to
equip it with an initial stock of 20 computers with internet
access. A further 5 computers will be placed in a building
to be constructed outside the school compound, for use by
members of the community. It will be run as part of the
nascent “Institute of Technology” that will provide
practical skills straining in a variety of fields for school
leavers and other interested adults.
In both cases, the plan is to use low-voltage computers,
designed to stand up to tough conditions, powered by
photovoltaic panels. The computers are made by a US
non-profit company called Inveneo (www.inveneo.org),
which has an agency offering installation, training and
technical support in Kenya. The total cost of the planned
equipment will be around £27,500, but, of course, the amount
is flexible as the number of computers can go up or down
depending on the amount of money available.
|