Bringing technology to village schools in Tanzania...
I spent Friday bumping down steep rocky paths with Robert from ACTT in his car visiting some of the 90 rural schools he has installed computers in.
We saw a lesson delivered using their mobile solar lab to 13 year olds, most of whom had never seen computers before.
I met Gabriel using Encarta science as he wants to be an engineer and Najma using Wikipedia offline to practice her English. She wants to be a politician to ensure Tanzanian men respect women.
It's not without its challenges though. Throughout the day Robert juggled calls on 2 phones. Problems ranged from the broken down bus transporting laptops for a lab technicians training session in Dar to issues at customs due to a new tax on the second hand computers he gets shipped from Close The Gap a Belgian NGO.
Most of the employees at ACTT are former street kids from the shelter where Robert used to work.
Ally was orphaned at 10 but Robert trained him to be a technician. Without ACTT he said he would probably be in prison or an addict on the streets. Instead he is training the next generation....
It's not without its challenges though. Throughout the day Robert juggled calls on 2 phones. Problems ranged from the broken down bus transporting laptops for a lab technicians training session in Dar to issues at customs due to a new tax on the second hand computers he gets shipped from Close The Gap a Belgian NGO.
Most of the employees at ACTT are former street kids from the shelter where Robert used to work. Ally was orphaned at 10 but Robert trained him to be a technician. Without ACTT he said he would probably be in prison or an addict on the streets. Instead he is training the next generation....
Hi Janet, I am so pleased you managed to spend some time with ACTT. I feel they do a great job bringing ICT and computers to the marginalized youth of Tanzania. They are a wonderful example of what can be achieved with great leadership, loads of enthusiasm and only limited resources.
ReplyDeleteI hope the rest of the trip goes well and I look forward to reading further updates
That is a great initiative to read about! I am an absolute believer in the power of technology in TZ having seen how keen so many people are, especially in rural areas, to be connected. I am seeing now how smartphones are revolutionising communications between the UK and TZ! I will definitely investigate ACTT in more depth. Thank you for your blog and hope the rest of your trip goes well.
ReplyDeleteThis is really excellent Janet and useful for our considerations of how to move forward in our schools. Thanks for thiis and l look forward to your next posting on your blog.
ReplyDelete