[OLPC_Boston] Kenya Tech Institute with OLPC

Thu Dec 18 15:55:01 EST 2008

hi,

Will you be combining OLPC XOs with donated computers for the students or
just using XOs or just donated used computers.  You might want to take a
look at the Sugar on a Stick project where we are working on making donated
computers run Sugar off of USB sticks so each student still has thier own
environment but they can use whatever computer is available.

http://sugarlabs.org/go/Sugar_on_a_Stick

Cheers,
Caroline

On Wed, Dec 17, 2008 at 1:29 PM, Michael Hsu <michael.hsu99 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Dear OLPC Boston,
>
> My name is Michael Hsu and I am at the Kennedy School. I have met some of
> your group at the MIT Museum but regretfully due to finals, was not able to
> meet with more of you.
>
> I am writing to inform you that my Professor, Calestous Juma, on the OLPC
> board, has a project in Western Kenya. My understanding is that it will not
> be completely OLPC but this may be an excellent way to compare the OLPC in a
> development setting against traditional PC's.
>
> Obviously, funding is crucial and any assistance on this end would be
> appreciated, so please consider and spread the word for those who can
> donate. Additionally, the project intends to organize a group of 10
> volunteers to go to Kenya for four weeks from July 10th until August 7th.
> Details below...
>
> http://207.56.85.76/Kenya-Osogo
> (personal note: I went on 3 trips to Kenya and the entrepreneurial spirit
> among the people I met is truly inspirational)
> Bold Tech Vision for Western Kenya Submitted by tanderson on Fri,
> 12/12/2008 - 8:00pm.
> [image: Kenya-Institute.jpg] <http://207.56.85.76/node/312>
>
> *Harvard Professor plans innovative tech Institute in Kenya.   4 week tech
> volunteer trip planned.   *International development expert develops model
> media lab for community of 60,000 people in Western Kenya where he was born.
>
> Calestous Juma is Professor of the Practice of International Development
> and the Director of the Science, Technology and Innovation Program at the
> Harvard Kennedy School.  He volunteers as a member of the International
> Advisory Council of World Computer Exchange (WCE).
>
> Recently, Professor Juma took the lead with WCE to help get more schools
> in the Western Province of Kenya connected to the Internet. He is helping to
> plan a shipment of 200 donated used computers from WCE to connect seven high
> schools in Port Victoria in Budalang'i Division where he was born and
> raised. These schools have about 4,000 students. The community has 60,000
> people who will also be invited to use this new tech resource.  Dr. Juma has
> asked WCE to include a copy of the 11-million page eGranary Digital Library
> that was developed by the University of Iowa.
>
> The John Osogo school will serve as a focal point for One Laptop per Child
> on whose foundation board Dr. Juma serves. In addition, it will help to
> distribute other educational technologies, scientific equipment and books.
>
> Dr. Juma said, "I enjoy working with WCE. Together, we are planning to
> bring a team of volunteers from the U.S. and other countries to help our
> local volunteers in Kenya redevelop the John Osogo secondary school into a
> technology resource for students in nearby schools. - and for the community.
> The John Osogo school is especially important to me because I studied there
> as a child, long before continuing my education in Britain and long before I
> started teaching at Harvard and other universities. I was taught there by a
> Peace Corps Volunteer."
>
> Last year, his former teacher and Dr. Juma arranged for some computers
> from WCE to be placed at this school. Something amazing happened there. With
> almost no supporting program, two students taught themselves and came in 5th
> on project design and presentation in a national science competition.
>
> Professor Juma is now contacting his friends and colleagues to explore if
> they might be willing to join him in financially Sponsoring part of the
> $22,330 for content materials, sourcing the computers and the logistical and
> shipping costs needed to make this happen. Dr. Juma said, "I hope they will
> help to develop "my" Victoria Institute of Science, Technology and
> Innovation. As part of this, the seven participating schools will match
> each donation with funds raised from parents, schools, local government,
> Rotary Clubs and local companies." Their match is a key ingredient in
> showing the priority they place on their children receiving these computers
> and ensuring a strong sense of local ownership.
>
> John Ouko is principal of the John Osogo school.  He said, "The main
> objective here is to build a strong technological network as the basis for
> community development in Budalang'i Division. The ultimate goal is to
> establish the Victoria Institute of Science, Technology and Innovation in
> the area, which will service technology-driven development in the entire
> Lake Victoria Basin bestriding Kenya Uganda and Tanzania. This Institute
> will link schools, institutions of higher learning, research institutes,
> industry, government and communities in a unique development-focused web
> powered by information technology, research and innovation. We are now
> putting in place the building blocks for transforming the region into an IT
> hub, starting with IT Labs at John Osogo Secondary School and a Community
> Information Center nearby."  John Osogo school will serve as a pilot model
> school in IT learning and research for high school students and teachers.
> Running concurrently with this will be a Community Information Center - a
> modern resource providing library services, Internet access,
> mobile/satellite telephony, information and research services. The John
> Osogo IT Lab and the Community Information Center will collaborate in
> providing outreach services for community development.
>
> Gary Hansen, Professor & Associate Dean, Technology Management Program,
> University of California, Santa Barbara stated "We are delighted to be a
> lead university collaboration with students from Education, Computer
> Engineering, Psychology, Global & International Studies ready to
> participate. "
>
> The long-term vision is for this to evolve into a college and a university
> offering experiential education.
>
> WCE has been planning on having an eCorps tech team visit Kenya during
> July.  Dr. Juma and John Ouko have requested that 2 of the team work for a
> month in Port Victoria and stay at the Institute that is right on the shore
> of Lake Victoria.  There is a picture of the Institute and information about
> it at their WEBSITE<http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/Victoria-Institute/>
> .
>
>  Prior brief I*mplementation Plan*<http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/old/partner_plans/Kenya-Osogo-Plan.doc>
> .
>
> The average annual income in Kenya is $1,700 and about 7% of the people are
> currently using the Internet.
>
> eCorp trip planned. After the container arrives, we plan to recruit 10 tech
> volunteers for a two-week trip to Kenya.  If you are interested in staying a
> bit longer and helping for 4 weeks in Kenya please contact:
> Kenya at WorldComputerExchange.org <http://Kenya@worldcomputerexchange.org/>
> We will ask that you complete our eCorps Application.<http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/files/Application-eCorps.doc>
> The visit is scheduled to depart for Kenya from various countries on the
> 10th of July and the 2 for Port Victoria will stay 4 weeks until the 7th of
> August.  Lodging will be provided in the building in the above picture.  You
> will pay directly for your meals, medical & evacuation insurance,
> vacinations, and visa.  Your donation will cover your flight cost and a $400
> administrative fee for World Computer Exchange.  We can arrange the flight,
> but the cost will be different depending on from which country each eCorps
> volunteer travels.
>
>
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>
>

-- 
Caroline Meeks
Solution Grove
Caroline at SolutionGrove.com

617-500-3488 - Office
505-213-3268 - Fax
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