Bringing Technology to Rural schools in Zimbabwe

Our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Project aims to bridge the ‘digital divide’ between underserved rural schools in Chipinge and urban schools, with the purpose of supporting children and youth development and enhancing primary and secondary school educational system. The project introduces and establishes innovative computer and internet based learning programs in the school curriculum, targeting the math and science subjects.

To help us bring ICT to the rural areas, the Tekeshe Foundation formed a partnership with  the following organizations:

• Inveneo— a U.S based non-profit organization whose mission is to connect and empower rural and underserved communities in the developing world with information and communication technologies (ICTs).
• Computers for Zimbabwean Schools (CzWS) -  a local organization that helps schools to transform and position themselves to offering 21st century education. In 2010 CzWS distributed over 3 000 computers to over 250 schools in Zimbabwe.

We are pleased to announce that on December 18th, 2012 we launched the ICT project.  We joined forces with Mr. Justin Mupinda of CzWS to conduct an ICT Sensitization workshop at Rimbi High School. Twenty seven teachers and the township councilor attended the workshop.  

Mr Mupinda did an awesome job explaining to the teachers how the era for black boards and chalks is over. He gave an overview of the 21st century tools that his organization offers for teaching. He demonstrated how they can use projectors. He also explained how there is a wealth of teaching tools that can be accessed through the internet.  This workshop was an eye opener to the teachers. The majority of them have never used or even seen a computer.  They didnt realize how much they lagged behind the rest of the world in technology.

We are very pleased with the excitement and enthusiasm that the teachers and the councilor showed during the workshop. They unanimously embraced the ICT project, and requested that we provide them with computer training. They also expressed a lot of interest in owning their own computers and tablets. 

As you can see, the rural teachers and rural youth lag behind the rest of the world in technology.  This digital divide is severely disadvantaging communities in the rural areas.

We are asking our donors to help us bridge this digital divide. Our 2013 goals are as follows:

• Provide computer training to 50 high school and primary school teachers
• Work in collaboration with CzWs to conduct computer training workshops
• Provide the schools with computers and software
• Provide internet connectivity to Rimbi High school