Bridging the Digital Divide in Rural Areas

Summary

To provide hundreds of students in rural schools in surrounding areas of Leogane, the opportunity to use computers and gain access to educational resources that otherwise are completely out of reach.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

To overcome poverty and function effectively in the emerging global economy, one must master a new set of knowledge and competencies. These include basic academic skills such as literacy, foreign language, math and science skills and the ability to use information and communication technology. We plan to use computers, software, videos and other audio-visual equipment as tools for improving basic skills in reading and writing and for providing comprehensive training in the use of computers.

How will this project solve this problem?

We will operate the computer lab as a library where students enrolled in any school in the rural area can come in and sign up for computer lab usage. For the most part, the students will make their own discoveries of things to do on the computer.

Potential Long Term Impact

Students will learn how to create, apply, analyze and synthesize knowledge working individually or in groups to accomplish computer-based projects. Effective use of technology will lead to significant gains in reading and language skills.

Project Message

Haiti can best be described as "A tale of two cities" - the cities vs the rural areas. All my life, I've wanted to even the playing field for people in the rural areas whom they call "the outsiders."
- Guirlaine Celius, Board member and Program Director

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).