OLPCorps USU Rwanda

XO GO: USU Students for Rwanda

INTRODUCTION:

As a result of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda gained at least one million new orphans of all ages. As the potential new leaders of Rwanda's future, these orphans face obstacles that can irreversibly hinder self-development. The UNGANA Foundation and students from Utah State University (USU) will join the Independent University of Kigali (ULK), Gisenyi Campus (pending approval) and local orphanages to implement XO Go: a One Laptop Per Child initiative aimed at teaching the English language and money management using technology to disadvantaged youth. Gisenyi's orphans are imaginative, resilient and most importantly – they are mature at a young age. But despite developing survival skills, they still lack the tools necessary to ‘improve’ their lives. If orphans knew how to save money, speak English and use computers, they would be provided with endless opportunities, real-world skills, and a renewed sense of confidence. In essence starting them on the course to become entrepreneurs. By starting businesses, earning money for their family and stimulating the economy these children will become agents of change in their communities. This is the objective of the XO Go Program and it parallels the goal of The UNGANA Foundation. We hope to empower an already impressive youth and build them a global support network. Rwanda’s strongest social initiatives can be united with its strongest population: young survivors.

XO Go SPECIFICS:

XO Go creates a space where Rwandan children can study basic English through online games with a program called Sebran, and learn basic money management principles with the help of UNGANA Foundation volunteers. XO Go will also include a peer-to-peer interaction, and creative learning activities – all enabled through XO Laptops. It all starts with the UNGANA Foundation's hub in rural Gisenyi, Rwanda where international volunteers and ULK students are paired with the orphans at a local facility in an after-school/vocational program. Volunteers and regional students will work with small groups of 6-12 years old on rotating shifts throughout the week conducting workshops that focus on various vocational and life skills, including the English and Money Management taught with XO Go. In addition to the weekly classes, these mentors will organize weekend field trips and community service in order to build networks and community support for the orphans.

The XO Go team can implement IT setup, training, and XO one-to-one classes with the help of ULK and Greg Allan, a Computer Science major at USU. Greg has focused on computer security, writing papers with professors from both Utah Statue University and Notre Dame University. For the entirety of his undergraduate career, he has helped students of USU gain basic yet valuable computer skills. That experience has made him aware just how integral computers are in a student's success. Greg has a full understanding of the Sugar operating system and has started to help write activities. The UNGANA Foundation will provide a central station for deployment with possible stations at ULK Gisenyi, and/or the local orphanage for eventual dispersion of XO Laptops to community organizations with translation and ongoing support. These local University roots will help ameliorate language barriers and tend toward long-term sustainability after the initial ten-week program.

Regionally, the Rwandan Government is in strong support of English education, children’s savings, and technology (XO Laptops in particular) deployment throughout schools in the entire country. Extension programs such as XO Go, will further build Rwanda's bright future through an immensely large and talented demographic.

TIMELINE:

The core team of XO Go will join UNGANA Associates and volunteers in Gisenyi, Rwanda on June 1, 2009. Before the June XO training, team XO Go will have the opportunity to begin developing lesson plans with the local university students and orphanage administrators, in addition to solidifying technical preparations. Most importantly though, the XO Go team can meet the orphans and build positive relationships with them.

On June 9, 2009, XO Go team members will participate in the OLPCorps Africa training in Kigali, Rwanda. Following their training, the team will make the short trip back to Gisenyi to orchestrate XO Go deployment over the next 8 weeks.

XO Go CORE TEAM MEMBERS

Three of the four team members have traveled to Rwanda on previous research, and are fully aware of rural Gisenyi’s obstacles. Their experiences have allowed them to develop close relationships with community members, local professionals, and the country itself. It is through this local understanding XO Go was developed.

Ashley Linford	International Studies	USU
Greg Allan	Computer Science	USU
Alyssa Callister	Marketing	USU
Alexander Erickson	Director	Ungana Foundation

Location

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