Project Report
| May 20, 2015
Maintaining the Computer Labs
By Ngaire McCubben | Comms, Ext, Relations and Fundraising, Tanzania
![The Lab at Moringe Sokoine Secondary School]()
The Lab at Moringe Sokoine Secondary School
Computer literacy is increasingly important in the developing world, and yet very few students actually have access to a computer. AfricAid installs basic computer labs in each partner school in Northern Tanzania where we work. This allows both AfricAid program participants (Kisa Scholars) and the wider student body to develop computer skills and access information technology. We contract a computer service technician to undertake regular preventative maintenance and to undertake any necessary repair work.
Technician Eddie undertakes routine maintenance once per year. This is a busy time for him – we currently have 13 partner schools and are about to add four more! Each lab has ten machines which have been supplied by AfricAid. Eddie travels to each school accompanied by an AfricAid staff member, and with the school IT Teacher looking on, cleans, updates, tests and repairs each machine.
We’ve included a few photos of a recent maintenance visit to Moringe Sokoine Secondary School in Monduli District. Again we’d like to say a very big thank you to all those who have supported us to provide and maintain computer labs for Tanzanian secondary school students. Having even just a rudimentary knowledge of computers can make a difference to the future success of a student.
![Checking for Problems]()
Checking for Problems
![Updating Software]()
Updating Software
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Feb 24, 2015
Kisa Scholars Expand Their Skills
By Ngaire McCubben | Comms, Ext.Relations & Fundraising, Tanzania
![Unloading the Computers]()
Unloading the Computers
With the support of our Global Giving Donors, AfricAid were recently able to install another computer lab at one of our partner schools in Northern Tanzania. Although most of AfricAid’s Kisa Scholars have very little experience with computers, they are enthusiastic and quick learners, as we discovered with the recent installation.
Our most recent donations allowed us to buy a number of second-hand desktop computers from Computers 4 Africa. This organization sources computers from donors in developed countries who have machines they no longer need or want. The computers are fully refurbished and in very good condition. They are perfect for our needs and are excellently priced.
We received a delivery of C4A machines in early February and were met on-site at the recipient school by our IT technician Eddie. The girls had received word of the delivery and came to see the unloading and installation of the computers. Much to our delight, they asked Eddie and their IT teacher to show them how to set up and connect the machines, and then insisted in helping do just that. So in this report, we want to share a short video and a few photos of the process.
We are so grateful to all who donate to this project. Who knows, we might have a budding IT professional in our midst, which would be great news for an industry that is overwhelmingly dominated by males in Tanzania!
![Many hands make light work...]()
Many hands make light work...
![Learning what goes where]()
Learning what goes where
![Enjoying the fruits of their labour]()
Enjoying the fruits of their labour
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Dec 2, 2014
Maasae Girls School Benefit From Computer Lab
By Ngaire McCubben | Communications, External Relations and Fundraising
![Kisa Scholar]()
Kisa Scholar
Recognizing the importance of computer literacy, AfricAid endeavors to install a computer lab in each of our partner schools in Northern Tanzania. This allows Kisa Scholars to develop computer skills and access information technology. The labs are also available to the general school population, improving access to technology for all at the partner school. AfricAid contracts an outside computer service technician to ensure that computer labs are well maintained.
One of the schools in which we have installed a lab is Maasae Girls Lutheran Secondary School. About 95% of the students at Maasae Girls are from rural (pastoralist) backgrounds and may be using computers for the first time when they enroll in Kisa. Exposure to and training in ICT is essential to ensuring these girls are not disadvantaged. AfricAid currently has 43 students at Maasai Girls enrolled in Kisa.
Thanks to the installation of the computer lab, the girls have been able to receive training in basic computer use, using the Internet for research, how to use social media and do so safely, and been introduced to Microsoft Office programs. And all this is made possible only with the support of donors like you.
We’re now over half way to our fundraising target, and with four new partner schools joining Kisa in 2015, we are very hopeful of being able to raise the funds to install labs in those schools too.
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