Bringing Technology to Rural schools in Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to you for your continued support of our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) project. This project is our strategy for bridging the digital divide that exists between the rural and urban schools.  We've accomplished a lot along the way—thanks to your help!. Here are some highlights.

1. Twenty Five Primary and Secondary School Teachers Received Basic Computer Training
To date we worked in collaboration with our in-country partner,  Computers for Zimbabwean Schools (CzWS) to conduct six ICT workshops at Rimbi High school. The workshops have been a great eye opener to show the teachers that the era of black boards and chalks is over and to introduce to them the 21st century tools for teaching. We are pleased to announce that this project is a big success. To date, twenty five primary and secondary school teachers have received basic computer training including word processing, spreadsheet processing and presentation package training. The teachers found the workshops very beneficial and they requested to have more training. Here is what some of the teachers who attented the workshops had say:

"I am now able to embolden text. I am also able to underline text as well as to use italics. I am also fascinated by the ability of the text to appear in different colours. "

"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!"

2. Five Teachers Received Laptops

Though this project is a big success one of the challenges is that the teachers have limited access to computers. To address this problem we made an arrangement with CsWS to provide us refurbished laptops at a discounted price of $220 per laptop. The teachers will pay $50.00 while the Tekeshe foundation covers the rest of the cost. To date we  purchased five laptops for the teachers. 

3. We Brought The Internet to 1,000 Students At Rimbi High School
Our biggest accomplishment this year was seeing our vision of  "BRINGING THE INTERNET TO RURAL SCHOOLS" become a reality. On  September 8, 2014 TELONE installed VSAT satelitte at Rimbi High School.  Here is what one of the teachers and the head boy had to say:

In His Own Words By One Of The Teachers At Rimbi High School

"We would like to register our utmost appreciation to the donors for bringing this state of the art technology to our school. We used to be a school indeed just like other schools. On behalf of Rimbi school we feel humbled that from now onwards our school has the most advanved technology in the Sabi valley area. There is no other school in the valley with such technology. Our school is now in par with urban schools.  Now that we are at par with other schools in the country there should be no excuse for mediocrity and below par performance."

In His Own Words By The Rimbi High School Head Boy
"We are very pleased to have such a facility at our school. We are very grateful to you the donors. From now onwards the pass rate at our school will improve because we will be able to get information from the internet. We continue to look to you to help advance our school. Thank you so much!"

Goals for 2015 - 2016
1. Provide internet access to Rimbi Primary school.  
2. Provide computer training to 100 teachers by end of 2015
4. Provide laptops to 50 teachers by end of 2015

As you can see we have accomplished a lot. 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!.

May you have a very happy and prosperous 2015!

Best wishes,

Thelma