By James Musyoka | Field Director & Director of Operations
As we mark the first anniversary since the Kenya Connect Learning Resource Center opened its doors to the public in November 2013, we are happy that approximately 200 students and teachers have graduated with computer literacy skills. Another 120 students and teachers are currently undergoing intensive training while over 600 others have visited the center for daylong visits. These groups have greatly benefited from instruction and technology at the center, but there have been many missed opportunities without a good Internet connection. Using a single computer connected with a safaricom modem and a projector, these students and teachers are learning Internet browsing and email skills. The students are gaining skills but it is limited given the set up. We are in great need of a cable to connect all the computers to the internet.
As another example, Nyaani Secondary School is another school that has missed out on a great opportunity. Over this year, the school has made many attempts to do a live book club discussion via Skype with their Partner school - Arundel High School in Maryland, USA. Due to the slow and unreliable Internet connectivity however, the students have been disappointed on more than one occasion. Their first book of discussion was The First Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith and they are now currently doing The Giver by Lois Lowry. They continue to try and connect with their friends in the States but can't quite make it the rich cultural exchange event for which they had hoped.
"We are hopeful that the cable connection will boost Internet speed and energize our book exchange with vibrancy and greater one-to-one connection with our peers making the book exchange more productive and meaningful."
Evans, book club member.
At the same time, Arbutus Middle School and their partner school in Kenya - Nunga Primary School have been working on a collaborative science lab experiment. Live collaboration on this initiative was limited by slow internet connectivity and therefore Arbutus MS had to create a video to aid in instruction. Link here.
We remain most grateful to all the donors who have supported the cable project so far. We are hopeful that we can attain our goal some time very soon. Again, thank YOU for your great support. Wishing you Happy Holidays!
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