OUR PLAN

Our team's project will be to distribute the 100 laptops to school children of ages 6-12 at Kiptenden Primary School. The school has over 300 children, and we have to figure out the most efficient and meaningful way to cover them all. While we may want all the 7th and 8th graders to be computer proficient before the go to high school, we also recognize that is very important to set strong foundations for the much younger children as well. The first phase of the project will involve setting up a network to connect all the computers together, and to keep track of each individual computer and the progress of the person who owns it. We will seek to purchase a generator, a few back-up solar panels, batteries and the wires needed for the connections. We will also set up a cyber station using 10 of the computers to train the villagers and outsiders at a small fee that we will use for the day to day running of the Kids program like buying fuel for the generator, paying the connections fees and providing light snacks for the kids once in a while. The next phase will be to train the teachers and children on how to use, operate, and take care of the laptop. Once we are satisfied with their progress, we will then hand them the computers and assign them simple group tasks. As their knowledge increases, we will assign individual tasks, evaluate them, and use the evaluations to assist those in need of help. The kids’ program will be conducted after school, from 3-6pm for 3days a week and 4-6pm for two days a week (to allow the kids to do play sports as well). We will also conduct weekend programs from 11-3pm. Whenever possible, and with the individual teachers’ permission, the children may be allowed to bring their laptops to class. This way, the children will for example, be able to ‘see for themselves’ whatever it is that they are learning in class, be it the Pyramids of Egypt, the geographical locations of various countries, the rhythms of the heart, record songs and lectures etc. Towards the end of the summer session, we will have the kids do group presentations to the whole village.

An integral part of the project is to ensure that the project continues to be sustained after the summer, and we will need additional funds in order to do this. We also want the program to compliment the normal school curricula, and help the kids get quality education. We will assign some members in the group, to assist teach the normal school curricula with the aim of making the school to be the best in the district. We will get volunteer student teachers from University of Easter Africa Baraton, and Moi University to teach the normal curricula. The Kapsabet Christian Intermediate Technology Center (CITC) has also agreed to partner with us. They will provide us with technological assistance during set up, and repair any the computers if any computer breaks down. The CITC volunteers will also teach the children and the villagers about safe and sustainable sources of energy like biogas and solar panels. CITC has also agreed to help us raise sustenance funds whenever they can. As for the funding, we have formed a committee to look around and secure us more funds.The Baraton University community outreach program (our chief partner), will ensure that the program stays operational. They will provide the human resources, technical and financial assistance whenever needed and whenever they can. They will also be responsible for managing the program.