African Schools on Line
Imagine. You are nine years old, your village and all you know has been destroyed burnt to the ground right in front of your eyes. You are frightened and confused.
What would you do? Where would you go? The life you know has been in this one place with one group of people, all are now dead.
This is a true story. “Ali” is that nine year old boy, abducted by the people who brutally murdered his parents, brothers, sisters and villagers before destroying the village. He was starved and beaten.
Ali escaped. Others have been less fortunate in a region where civil conflict has been rampant for more than 10 years.
The work and support provided by “African Schools on Line” is very much hands on; sadly stories such as Ali’s are not unique. In this case CfC has been able not only to aid with education but also to facilitate trauma therapy support for Ali and the other children shown.
Outline:
"African Schools on Line" is not just about providing Computers for the thousands of needy schools lacking basic resources Worldwide. This program offers so much more to ensure sustainability and viability for all participating schools. Including full and appropriate training, support and tools to do the job and encouraging all schools to maximise resources by opening ICT facilities to aid schools and local communities.
Education has been stated “as the Single most powerful weapon against poverty” and remains highly valued in countries where education, medical support and the basics of food and water come at a price beyond the reach of the many.
Why Computers? Whether we like it or not, I.T is Global and affects all, the need being more apparent for developing countries seeking to operate on a level platform with Western countries.
Results speak for themselves; a pilot program in Zimbabwe yielded 100% GCSE level exam results in computer studies. The program has enabled major developments in schools from the provision of computers and training, offering access to over 100,000 children living in some of the harshest and poorest locations. Including improved opportunities for employment.
This program has much scope, it works and could benefit thousands more children world wide.
It all began in 1995 from a single request to assist three rural secondary schools in Zimbabwe with computers. Simon Rooksby (Founder) went out put it together and the rest is now history.
Who has financed all this ?
The bottom end is this; support is limited. Much more could be achieved with more financial support!!! £5000 is what it costs to send a 20’ container providing all the resources needed to set up 20 schools from scratch.
Companies and individuals provide hardware and varying resources. As you can imagine it's one thing to be given a quantity of equipment, but what of the bigger picture? It's quite another to get items into full working condition and then ship to the point of need - in this case rural schools in South Africa, Zambia, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya and so forth..
Air Zimbabwe has been fantastic in their support of the Zimbabwean program. Combined with an accolade from DFID " We have witnessed many schools projects in Africa, but African Schools on Line is one of the few projects we have seen that works" !!
Thanks also to Data Developments, British Airways, Kenyan Airways, Zimbabwe Ministry of Education, British Council and British High Commission.
Outcome:
Can you help us to help them?
CfC receives 400 requests per day from Asia, South America, Eastern Europe and throughout Africa requesting access to African Schools on Line. The task is immense.
OK! So you've got all the big boys on board and everything is hunky-dory. Wrong?
We don't want to stop the expansion of these programs but we desperately need sponsorship by companies and individuals who can grab hold of the vision of "African Schools on Line" and make it happen. Vincent and Hilary from Southern Ireland gave 6 months of their time to provide valuable input in Western Kenya.
Right! Bring it down to my Level. Let's say I'm someone who is grabbed by the concept of African Schools on Line. How could I realistically support the program?
£40 will provide one computer and the necessary backup for one year.
That works out at 79p a week - give or take - less than a Saturday paper
To pledge support, donations can be made on line via our home page or email: info@computersforchartities.org for further information.
Sponsors for African Schools on Line. Include:
Air Zimbabwe - British Airways - Data Developments - Dorling Kindersley - Encyclopedia Britannica - BT plc - Wealden District Council - Systemax Europe - Xerox - Barclays Bank Plc - Kenya Airways
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