OLPCorps AmericanUniversityofParis Cameroon

Introduction

OLPCorps Project Proposal for Cameroon

We have had the pleasure to be in contact with Ajomuzu Collette Bekaku, Executive Director of CAPEC, the Cameroon Association for the Protection and Education of the Child www.capecam.org. This non-governmental, non-profit organization has agreed to collaborate with myself, Asia ANIWANOU and Christoph ESSIKPE on the “One Laptop per Child” project. The project’s main objective with the collaboration of our local partner- CAPEC is the education of orphans and underprivileged children through the use of laptops that will create a lasting effect on their lives. Based in Nkolfoulou, a small village 12km outskirt of Yaoundé the capital of Cameroon, CAPEC is in charge of a school for underprivileged children called Bitame Lucia Nursery and Primary school- www.nklofoulou.org. This is where the operation will take place, allowing us to have contact with 100 orphans and underprivileged kids between the ages of 6 -12 years old during the holiday program organized by CAPEC from July 1st to 30th 2009.

What we would like to do

Our project includes a small prelude that will focus on group discussions with the students on the importance of education and how to best learn so that the addition of the computers will have a greater impact on each student. We aim to teach children computing for them to develop skills and to better understand how computers will be useful in everyday life and their future professional careers. Through the new ways of learning with, for example the employment of mnemonic aids, flashcards, and even songs, we would like to establish a system that employs routine so that good learning habits gradually become second nature.

The Result

We hope that the students will develop a bit of autonomy so that they are at ease with their learning experience and will eventually be able to share with others what they have learned.

Why it will last

CAPEC has promised to continue the project after our departure, since it is something they really need to get these children occupied. A trainer has already been designated, who is ready and willing to take over the project.

We believe that for this project to be sustained it is not only important to work closely with our local partners who will continue the project, but to make sure that we have sufficiently stimulated the student’s will to learn so that the effects of this project will have a lasting impact on them and their peers.

Why they deserve it

Most of these children, who have never seen a Laptop, will take great pleasure in participating in this program, knowing that someone has cared enough to provide them with this opportunity. It will be a great pleasure for us to bring technology to these children who will spend most of their lives in an orphanage.

Who we are

Group Members Christoph ESSIKPE, from Aflao, GHANA - currently a student at the American University of Paris, pursuing a Masters in Global Communications, who has completed a BA in English and French. He has been a professional teacher for ten years and a Principal Superintendent with the Ghana Education Service. He is fluent in French and English, Ewe and Twi (dialects from Ghana). Christoph has had experience teaching kids 7 -13 years old. He has taught courses such as “Introduction to computers and the internet” at Ejisuman Senior High School in Ghana, and anxiously awaits the opportunity to put his knowledge and experience towards the advancement of the OLPC Cameroon project.

Asia ANIWANOU, from California, USA – currently a student at the American University of Paris who will be completing her Bachelor of Arts Degree in International Business Administration and Economics, with a minor in International Journalism, has had extensive experience with children from 1 to 8 years old. She has worked as an English teacher for the past year using games, songs and various activities to teach a group of young students English. Half American and Half Beninese, she has traveled briefly to the African continent : Benin, Ghana, Togo, Morocco and is also enthusiastic to participate in a project that focuses on education, as a means to equip children with the skills to live a better life.