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School Project OLPC Rwanda
Laptops to create Educational Opportunities in Rwanda
OLPC –„One Laptop per Child“- is a concrete response to the crisis in education in developing countries. Rwanda is one of the first African countries that has fully committed to this idea. This is not a standard laptop but the development of a student-friendly computer that is robust and energy-efficient and tailored to the learning requirements of 8-12 year primary pupils. This laptop has been developed by the global non-profit OLPC Foundation.
"XO" is the name of laptop of the OLPC Foundation for pupils from the third class
Meanwhile, about 2 million of these devices are used worldwide and take over the function of schoolbooks, reference books, knowledge bases, writing- and painting tools, toys, phones and cameras. The laptop costs not more than a stack of schoolbooks. Via the Internet it also opens up an almost inexhaustible pool of information and knowledge. This is especially important for children in developing countries, since they usually have no access to libraries, continuing education or training offered by television and public or private educational institutions.
Since the OLPC program is based on donations, volunteering is asked a lot here –on the one hand in the financing of equipment and on the other hand in the implementation at the school and the training of teachers. For 250 Euros total cost a laptop can be donated to a child for 3 years.
The project managers Marc Schuller (left) and Rudolf Simon with the director of the orphan’s village Valerie Mukankaka
In Germany a group of dedicated organizations have teamed up to introduce 100 of these laptops for three classes at the St. Jacob School in Rwanda. The Stuttgart-based Care for Kids e. V. (www.care-for-kids.org) has taken the initiative and took over the project management, the Hamburg-based OLPC Germany e. V. (www.olpc-deutschland.de) has organized the procurement of the laptops, the Stuttgart-based WCE (Germany) e. V. (www.wce-deutschland.de) took over the IT implementation tasks, and the Hechingen-based Children need Peace e. V. (www.kinder-brauchen-frieden.de) organized the activities at the school and the children’s village in Rwanda.All organizations and members also strongly contributed in funding through donations.
St. Jacob School in Kigali (Rwanda) with the core team for the introduction of the laptops, Headmistress Providence Uwera and OLPC support OscarGakuba (right)
The organizers are now happy and proud that the introduction of the first 100 laptops in November 2011 has been successfully completed. Some very dedicated members have used their holidays to personally supervise the field work in Rwanda.
Handover ceremony of the laptops to the 8 to 10 year old pupils
Setting up the laptops and the school server with partners in Rwanda
With a celebration act, the laptops and educational materials were delivered to the children. Present were also the parents, the teachers and the political representatives, all of which was documented by the Rwandan state television.
"Family picture" after handover of the laptops and the responsibility to the school
Everything on the computers is based on the world language of English, which has been since 1995 also the official language in Rwanda. In addition to the playing and creative functions the subject matter of Mathematics, English and Science is provided. A computer solely owned by the student provides highly motivated learning, encouraged to work independently, researching and promoting the interaction and communication within the school and home environment.
Laptops deployed in the classroom at St. Jacob School in Rwanda
During the school holidays from November to January, the teachers have beenintroduced and trained and the power supply has been installed, so that the program could start at the beginning of the new school curriculum. The Rwandan government is supporting the OLPC program and wants to equip all students of the country as soon as possible. For this purpose lots of efforts are necessary, which will improve the conditions for a self-determined life in this country significantly. The German organizations are planning to promote this school sustainably. This means constant care of equipment, software and teaching materials and of course the preparation for the next class to be equipped with laptops.
Teacher training and preparation of teaching material with Tony Anderson (right)
Thanks!
On behalf of the enthusiastic students in Rwanda, we want to thank very much all donors and project staff and wish the children a successful school term.
If you are interested to participate in this project and maybe donate a laptop for a child, then we would be pleased if you contact us:
Website: www.care-for-kids.org Email:info(at)care-for-kids.org
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