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'''Motivation'''
'''XO GO: USU Students for Rwanda'''


A [[team of two]] students have teamed up with Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) in Mauritania to deploy XO laptops to two of the Girls Mentoring Centers [[(GMCs)]] across the country. Specifically, we will work with thirty-five 6-12 year old females in Kiffa [http://www.maplandia.com/mauritania/assaba/kiffa/] and sixty-four in Kankossa [http://www.maplandia.com/mauritania/assaba/kankossa/] for nine weeks from June-August, 2009. While several GMCs in larger cities have assisted Mauritanian females to further their education via university, there has only been one female in Kiffa known to continue her education at the college level. In addition, working in these two rural sites guarantees 1:1 laptop saturation. We believe access to and [[ownership of XO laptop technology]] at a young age will enable females in Kiffa and Kankossa to take control of their education, thus empowering the next generation of African women, their families, and Mauritania. In doing so, OLPC and Peace Corps will help reduce the educational gender gap in Mauritania, while providing students an avenue to develop creatively and academically. The GMCs are currently run by PCVs and [[local Mauritanian volunteers]]; while PCVs will remain at the GMCs for one year following our departure, the goal of local, long-term sustainability means these centers will be run solely by Mauritanians in the near future.
'''
INTRODUCTION:'''


'''Collaboration'''
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 [http://www.unganafoundation.org/home] and students from Utah State University (USU)[http://www.usu.edu/] will join the Independent University of Kigali (ULK), Gisenyi Campus (pending approval)[http://www.ulk.ac.rw/english.html] and local orphanages to implement XO Go: a One Laptop Per Child initiative aimed at teaching the English language and money management using technology for 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 ‘improving’ their lives. If orphans knew how to save money and could practice English on computers, they are provided with endless opportunities, different eyes, real-world skills, and a renewed sense of confidence. Fundamentally, the XO Go Program empowers an already impressive youth and builds them a global support network. Rwanda’s strongest social initiatives can be united with its strongest population: young survivors.


We hope to collaborate with other OLPC groups applying to work in Mauritania. Our vision is by connecting students among the various GMC sites via XO laptops, they will serve as motivation for each other. Illiteracy is a challenge for youth in Mauritania. As such, we have organized with the Cornell OLPC group to implement a pen-pal system between our sites to encourage writing, reading, and exploring their own culture in various languages. All 22 GMCs in Mauritania have, or are in the process of getting, internet access. In addition, each has one or more volunteers who serve as [[technical support]] for the multi-media and computer classes. This volunteer will provide technical support during our deployment period and will continue to work and maintain the XO laptops at the GMCs following our departure. Every GMC site has several bilingual PCVs who will function as translators between us and the local youth and GMC mentors.


'''Eco-Health Camp'''
'''
XO Go SPECIFICS:'''


There is an opportunity to introduce XO laptops to a group of 40 Mauritanian females coming to Kankossa in July. Eco-Health Camp facilitates an open dialogue among young females to discuss the environment and other health topics – such as desertification, pollution, and the repercussions of Mauritania importing 70-80% of their food. These conversations take place among 5th and 6th grade girls and are communicated in multiple local languages. While communication with the leaders of this camp is necessary to discuss specific curricular details, access to XO laptop technology could motivate these females to become agents of environmental change.
XO Go creates a space where Rwandan children can study basic English through online games with a program called Sebran (pending XO compatibility), and money savings with a program called KidsSave [http://www.kidnexions.com/](pending XO compatibility). 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.


'''“My Story”'''
The XO Go team can implement IT setup, training, and XO one-to-one classes with the help of ULK in Gisenyi and Greg Allen, a Computer Science major at USU. 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.


As students of African and comparative literature, we know the value of documenting oral stories and histories from rural areas of Africa. While this act of documentation is beneficial for reading publics, our primary goal is to inspire youth to value and share their own life stories. We plan to utilize XO microphones to have youth orally recite any personal story they deem important. The paint capabilities of XO could be used to add visual dynamics to oral components. One long-term goal of “My Story” is to have each female transfer her oral story to the written page. Access to “Speak” may serve as motivation for students whose writing skills can enable their XO to literally speak their story. We plan to collect these stories on a collaborative website which could be used by other OLPC groups looking to deploy similar projects in their regions.
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:'''
'''Fundraising'''


We are in the process of fundraising and have written letters to Rotary International, Lions Club International [http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/youth_index.shtml], and Kiwanis International [http://www.kiwanis.org/WhoWeAre/WhatisaKiwanian/tabid/297/Default.aspx]. As former Rotary Youth Exchange Students, Stephanie and Justin have permission to give power point presentations to several Rotary Clubs in district 6220 [http://www.ridistrict6220.org/] in conjunction with fundraising for OLPC Mauritania. In addition, we plan to contact and pool resources with several University organizations, such as the African Student’s Union [http://um.collegiatelink.net/Community?action=getOrgHome&orgID=11481], and Amnesty International UM Chapter [http://um.collegiatelink.net/Community?action=getOrgHome&orgID=11583].
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.
'''Housing Laptops'''


Laptops will be shipped to Nouakchott and received by PCVs. We will hire a car to transport the laptops to Kiffa. They will then be housed in the Kiffa and Kankossa GMCs.


'''Supporting Documents'''
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.


'''[[Media:UMiamibudget.pdf‎|Our Budget]]'''


'''[[Media:UMiami_letter_PCV.pdf|Peace Corps Letter of Support]]'''
'''XO Go CORE TEAM MEMBERS'''
The Peace Corps letter of support is written out to Stephanie Selvick and her former team member Sydney Owens. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sydney Owens had to drop out of the OLPC project. As such, Justin Burnett has stepped up to the plate and become Stephanie's new team member.


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.


'''Travel Blog'''

Stay up to date with our collaborative travel blog! http://africaxo.blogspot.com/
Ashley Linford - International Studies - USU
Greg Allan - Computer Science - USU
Alyssa Callister – Marketing – USU
Alexander Erickson – Director, Ungana Foundation

Latest revision as of 20:38, 27 May 2009

Motivation

A team of two students have teamed up with Peace Corps volunteers (PCVs) in Mauritania to deploy XO laptops to two of the Girls Mentoring Centers (GMCs) across the country. Specifically, we will work with thirty-five 6-12 year old females in Kiffa [1] and sixty-four in Kankossa [2] for nine weeks from June-August, 2009. While several GMCs in larger cities have assisted Mauritanian females to further their education via university, there has only been one female in Kiffa known to continue her education at the college level. In addition, working in these two rural sites guarantees 1:1 laptop saturation. We believe access to and ownership of XO laptop technology at a young age will enable females in Kiffa and Kankossa to take control of their education, thus empowering the next generation of African women, their families, and Mauritania. In doing so, OLPC and Peace Corps will help reduce the educational gender gap in Mauritania, while providing students an avenue to develop creatively and academically. The GMCs are currently run by PCVs and local Mauritanian volunteers; while PCVs will remain at the GMCs for one year following our departure, the goal of local, long-term sustainability means these centers will be run solely by Mauritanians in the near future.

Collaboration

We hope to collaborate with other OLPC groups applying to work in Mauritania. Our vision is by connecting students among the various GMC sites via XO laptops, they will serve as motivation for each other. Illiteracy is a challenge for youth in Mauritania. As such, we have organized with the Cornell OLPC group to implement a pen-pal system between our sites to encourage writing, reading, and exploring their own culture in various languages. All 22 GMCs in Mauritania have, or are in the process of getting, internet access. In addition, each has one or more volunteers who serve as technical support for the multi-media and computer classes. This volunteer will provide technical support during our deployment period and will continue to work and maintain the XO laptops at the GMCs following our departure. Every GMC site has several bilingual PCVs who will function as translators between us and the local youth and GMC mentors.

Eco-Health Camp

There is an opportunity to introduce XO laptops to a group of 40 Mauritanian females coming to Kankossa in July. Eco-Health Camp facilitates an open dialogue among young females to discuss the environment and other health topics – such as desertification, pollution, and the repercussions of Mauritania importing 70-80% of their food. These conversations take place among 5th and 6th grade girls and are communicated in multiple local languages. While communication with the leaders of this camp is necessary to discuss specific curricular details, access to XO laptop technology could motivate these females to become agents of environmental change.

“My Story”

As students of African and comparative literature, we know the value of documenting oral stories and histories from rural areas of Africa. While this act of documentation is beneficial for reading publics, our primary goal is to inspire youth to value and share their own life stories. We plan to utilize XO microphones to have youth orally recite any personal story they deem important. The paint capabilities of XO could be used to add visual dynamics to oral components. One long-term goal of “My Story” is to have each female transfer her oral story to the written page. Access to “Speak” may serve as motivation for students whose writing skills can enable their XO to literally speak their story. We plan to collect these stories on a collaborative website which could be used by other OLPC groups looking to deploy similar projects in their regions.

Fundraising

We are in the process of fundraising and have written letters to Rotary International, Lions Club International [3], and Kiwanis International [4]. As former Rotary Youth Exchange Students, Stephanie and Justin have permission to give power point presentations to several Rotary Clubs in district 6220 [5] in conjunction with fundraising for OLPC Mauritania. In addition, we plan to contact and pool resources with several University organizations, such as the African Student’s Union [6], and Amnesty International UM Chapter [7].

Housing Laptops

Laptops will be shipped to Nouakchott and received by PCVs. We will hire a car to transport the laptops to Kiffa. They will then be housed in the Kiffa and Kankossa GMCs.

Supporting Documents

Our Budget

Peace Corps Letter of Support The Peace Corps letter of support is written out to Stephanie Selvick and her former team member Sydney Owens. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Sydney Owens had to drop out of the OLPC project. As such, Justin Burnett has stepped up to the plate and become Stephanie's new team member.


Travel Blog Stay up to date with our collaborative travel blog! http://africaxo.blogspot.com/

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