Bringing Technology to Rural schools in Zimbabwe

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your continued support of our project. This project is at the heart of our organization and is our strategy for bridging the digital divide that exists between rural and urban schools.

As more and more jobs require technology, it is important that students understand how to use technology in a variety of ways. Unfortunately rural schools in Chipinge are underserved, and like many other remote rural schools in developing countries they are unable to offer computer training and internet access to students because they simply don’t have the funds to buy computers and the teachers lack computer skills. Most Zimbabwean rural schools are struggling financially to stay afloat, as the budgetary support provided to them by the government is limited. This leaves the burden of education on parents, who are unable to pay for their children’s education. As a result, rural schools lack the 21st century tools, and the teachers and the students lack the skills necessary, for teaching and learning, such as computers and the internet. This has created a digital divide that is disadvantaging a whole generation of children growing up in these rural areas.

As such, Phase I of this project was created by Tekeshe Foundation in Rimbi Township-Zimbabwe, in December 2012, with the aim to address this digital divide. PHASE I of the project adopted the train-the-trainer-first approach to build the capacities of rural teachers in technology. For the past 4 years, we have been providing computer training to teachers and have seen dramatic improvements with most of the teachers gaining basic computer skills and Microsoft Office experience. They are now in a position to train students and the community. We also brought internet connectivity to Rimbi High school and donated laptops to teachers.

The Tekeshe Foundation now seeks to launch the next Phase of this project in order to provide internet access and educational internet training to primary and secondary schools students from Rimbi and neighboring villages, as a part of an after school program. During this phase, the Tekeshe Foundation aims to establish a Community ICT center in Rimbi Township. The center will serve as a hub for students and the wider communities, where they can access the internet and receive educational internet training. A VSAT satellite dish that will provide 1Mbps and 60 GB data allowance will be installed by TelONE. A vacant building in the Township will be renovated and equipped with tables and 25 computers. A solar powered generator will be used to power the computers.

We are pleased to announce that we have full support of the stake holders from Rimbi village to establish the Community ICT center. Here is an excerpt from a recommendation letter by a stake holder:

"Rimbi High School is highly appreciative of the unparalleled work being done to our school and the community at large by the Tekeshe Foundation. The most profound development to the school is the internet connectivity. The internet facility they funded for the school has been of much benefit to the teachers. Teachers and students are now able to access latest information for the different subject areas and this has really taken us to the information technology era and global village.
As the I.T. project coordinator, I unreservedly recommend Tekeshe Foundation for funding in order for them to establish an ICT community center in Rimbi village. The center will benefit the entire community tremendously. Our biggest challenge is limited access to computers. Having the ICT center will enable more students and teachers and the entire community to have access to computers and the internet. I thank you in advance for supporting our project."

Cost Breakdown

25 HP 500B (Refurbished)Computers @$350 each                $8,750.00
25 desks and chairs @$75 each                                           $1,875.00
VSAT Satellite Installation                                                       $886.00
Solar Powered Generator                                                        1,500.00
Buiding Renovation                                                               $1,800.00

 TOTAL                                                                               $14,811.00

As you can see we have accomplished a lot together. These accomplishments would not have been possible without your support. Through your donations you are playing a major role in tranforming the lives of rural teachers and students. Thanks again!

Best wishes,

Thelma

Thank you for your continued support of our ICT project. This project is our strategy for bridging the digital divide that exists  between urban and rural schools in Zimbabwe. To date, through your help we have worked in collaboration with our in-country partner, Computers For Zimbabwean Schools (CZWs) to successfully complete our pilot project. The pilot project saw us delivering five very successful computer training workshops to 25 teachers from three schools in the area. In addition, we joined forces with TELONE to bring the internet to Rimbi High. The workshops were a big success! Here is what some of the teachers had to say:

In Their Own Words By Two Teachers Who Attended The Workshops

 "I am benefitting so much through this programme since I was at ‘zero’ as far as Computer Literacy is concerned.  I was even shy to be associated with computers since I couldn’t even turn a computer on.  I am very thankful for Mr Mupinda, the instructor. He has taught us a lot within a short space of time. Microsoft Word – I am now able to type any document and can insert any symbols I want with ease.  He also taught us Microsoft Excel which is a very useful tool in teaching.  The summation in particular was so interesting, using average and the copying of formulas was just magical! "

"We thank you very much for providing the funds that enable us to attend computer training workshops.  We have benefited tremendously from these workshops.  We kindly ask you to help us with computers that way we can have hands-on training during the workshops. This would be of great help.  Thanks again for helping us."

In His Own Words By Rimbi High Headmaster

"We are grateful for the workshops that have been conducted by the Tekeshe Foundation with the help of the donors. The workshops have been a great eye opener! During one of these workshops, the instructor gave us an overview of the 21st century tools that CZWs offers for teaching. He demonstrated how to use a projector. This topic generated a lot of interest among the teachers. As the headmaster of Rimbi High school, I made a commitment to the teachers that I would purchase some projectors for our school.  I am also very grateful to the Tekeshe Foundation  and to the donors for bringing the internet to Rimbi High! "

Way Forward - Establishment Of An ICT center

Though this project has been a big success, the feedback that we received from the teachers is that limited access to computers is hindering their progress. To resolve this issue, The Tekeshe Foundation will establish an ICT center in Rimbi village.  

How Having The ICT Center Will Help
The center will benefit not only the teachers and students, but the entire Rimbi community. The ICT center will provide a hub where local residents can receive computer literacy skills and affordable internet access services, expanding the number of people the ICT centre supports. In addition, with significantly more computers available for students and teachers, the learning experience will be enhanced. The teachers will have a practical environment where they are able to acquire more computer skills. 

In my next progress report I will give you  a breakdown of how much it will cost to establish the ICT center. We are currently working with stakeholders in Rimbi village to see if we can use one of the vacant buildings. 

As you can see we have made a lot of progress making a difference in the lives of rural teachers and students. This could not be possible without your support. Thank you so much!!!

Best wishes,

Thelma