Bringing Technology to Rural schools in Zimbabwe

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for your continued support of our Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) project. This project is at the heart of the Tekeshe Foundation and is our strategy for bridging the digital divide that exists between rural and urban schools.  This project is a big success and it is tranforming education in Rimbi village.

In Phase I of this project we introduced sensitization workshops facilitated by our in-country partner, Computers For Zimbawean Schools (CzWS).  The workshops covered the integration of computers in the classroom and internet skills and resources for learning and teaching. The workshops were very well received by all participants. A Tekeshe Foundation staff relates: “It was an eye opener for most participants, it made them realize how far behind they were in their methods of teaching. The teachers requested the headmaster to buy projectors; they realized that the era of black boards and chalks was over.”   

In 2013, the second phase of our ICT project commenced. The goal of this phase was to provide Computer and Internet Literacy Training to the teachers and to to provide internet connectivity to Rimbi High School. 

• To date we have provided computer training to 25 teachers
• To date we have provided laptops to six teachers
• On September 8, we brought the internet to Rimbi High

In his own words by "Rimbi High School ICT Project Coordinator" 

"Rimbi High School is appreciative of the unparalleled work being done to our school and the community at large by the Tekeshe Foundation. The most recent and most profound development to the school is the internet connectivity, which the Tekeshe Foundation intends to upgrade to meet demands and current developments on information technology i.e. to improve on speed, wifi connectivity and the number of computers connected. The internet facility has transformed the lives of teachers and students. They are now able to access the latest information for the different subject areas and this has really taken all of us to the information technology era and the global village"

WE ARE NOW IN PHASE 3 OF THE PROJECT

We are pleased to announced that the project is on target.  We are now in the third phase of the project. The goal of the this phase is to continue Computer and Internet Literacy Training .

• The teachers who completed the first training will be trained on the tools for intergrating ICT into the curriculum
• Sensitization workshop will be conducted for the new group of teachers
• After the sensitization workshops, the new group of teachers will receive the Computer Literacy training that the first group of teachers went through. [This training covers, basic computer skills, Microsoft Office and the internet] 
• Upgrade VSAT system at Rimbi High

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