OLPCorps Africa

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Welcome to OLPCorps Africa, a new student-based, grassroots OLPC initiative.
Email us for any questions about the program: OLPCorps@laptop.org
Can't find what you're looking for below? Try our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Notice there's room for discussing things in the Talk Page
We've posted a notice asking for comments. Please help translate it and pass it on. If you want to get involved in a support role, please see our Support Committee page.

About OLPCorps Africa

100 XOs, Hardware, $10K stipend, 10-day training in Kigali, Rwanda, and an entire summer in an African country of your choice. Sound too good to be true? Well, it's not. OLPC has a revolutionary vision: an XO for every child. Crazy, right? Not crazy enough, since it's becoming a reality. Country after country, children with XOs are learning more, finding new avenues of expression, and connecting to a global network of like-minded children. But we can't achieve this dream alone, which is why we need your help in turning this idea into a global movement. Through OLPCorps Africa, we'll provide the tools and resources to get you started if you can provide the time, energy, and dedication to change the world. This is a student movement, a learning movement, an education movement...The OLPC Movement.


Eligibility & Requirements

  • Undergraduate or graduate students from all fields of study and nationalities are eligible to apply. Students entering university in fall '09 or graduating in spring '09 are also eligible to participate.
  • English fluency is required.
  • Minimum number of people in a team is 2.
  • At least 2 team members must be present in Kigali, Rwanda June 8th-17th for training with the OLPC Learning Team. Teams will then depart for their specific destination.
  • Deployments must occur within one of the African countries. Preference will be given to deployments in rural areas.
  • Minimum of 9-10 weeks commitment (the duration of your summer break).
  • Each team member must have their immunizations.
  • Each team member must hold a valid passport.
  • Each team member is responsible for acquiring a visa, if needed.
  • 1 member of each team will participate in a workshop at MIT/OLPC in Cambridge this October 10-12 (all expenses covered by OLPC).


How to Write a Project Proposal

Thinking about starting your proposal? Not sure where to start? This section should answer some of your questions. Don't be afraid to ask questions & collaborate - we're better as a team. Keep in mind, up to 100 teams are receiving 100 XOs each.

In the end, all teams will be working together for 10 days in Kigali before deploying. Our goal is to form a network of African deployments which support learning for years to come. Before your team applies, consider the following suggestions we've outlined below.

Proposal deadline is by March 27th. Send yours to <OLPCorps@laptop.org> with the following title: "OLPCorps_YourUniversity_CountryinAfrica_LastName". Proposals will not be considered if they exceed the 750 word limit (hyperlinks are ok), are submitted in a language other than English, do not mention technical and NGO support, or do not focus on children & learning.

Accepted Proposals will be announced April 10th.

Below are a few helpful guidelines from the OLPCorps Team which must be covered in designing your proposal.

Proposal formatting:

  • Proposals must be in English.
  • Length of Proposal must not exceed 750 words.
  • Hyper-linked text is allowed throughout the proposal.

Proposal contents:

  • Answer the basics: who, what, when, where. Most importantly, KEEP IT CONCISE AND DIRECTLY TO THE POINT.
  • How will you work with children? Are the children in school from June-August? Are they on break? Address how you will deal with children and learning with their schedule.
  • Who is the local partner? How will you follow-up? Partner with groups capable of maintaining the deployment after you leave. Is there an academic institution, NGO, community organization, etc. willing to oversee the project after August? Do you have family ties in the community? What's going to happen when you leave?
    • Include a letter of support from the local partner (this doesn't count towards your 750 word limit). Make sure you show that together you're capable of handling the receipt of a 230 kg package of laptops and equipment. Where will you store the equipment during the deployment?
  • How will this impact 6-12 yr old children? All proposals must be about kids 6-12 years old and their learning. A proposal gets stronger as soon as the group can show that children are the agents of change, not just the objects of teaching.
    • Incorporate the File:Learning Manual V2.pdf into your project proposal.
    • Stick to OLPC's Core Principles: child ownership, low ages, saturation, connection, and free and open source.
  • Describe your project's financial needs. As an attachment (that doesn't count towards the 750 word limit), provide a brief budget for the project. Include travel costs (to Kigali and your deployment community), housing for 9 weeks (can your local partner help here?), and other project-related expenses. Remember that OLPC will only grant up to $10,000 and that you do not need to include XOs, accessories, or Kigali accomodations in your budget. If you have a creative project-based idea that needs funding, let us know.
    • Be realistic with your budget. It will determine how much money you'll receive.
    • But also be economical where possible. If we think a team's budget is wasteful or unrealistic, we will consider that in evaluating the proposal.
  • How will you provide financial support after you leave? OLPC is dedicating significant time and resources to create learning environments throughout Africa! How can you show that your team can provide financial support after you leave?
    • Research your university's grant programs, student associations, alumni networks, and other avenues of funding to sustain your deployment.
  • Communication - do you share the language of the school or community where you will be working? If not, how will this be overcome?


Note: Upon acceptance, you will be asked to provide proof as a student. This will be verified by the dean of your department, for instance.


Publishing Project Proposals

As you develop your team's project proposal, you should post it to the wiki. This is the only way the OLPCorps team and the OLPC community can provide feedback for your proposal before the submission deadline. Please note: you still must e-mail your proposal as described above by March 27th. Below are the steps to publish your Project Proposal wiki page:

  • Step 1: Create your own project proposal wiki page
  • Step 2: Enter your information in the newly created wiki page. Click on the "Edit" tab of different wiki pages (especially OLPCorps examples and this page) to see how to write and format the wiki.
  • Step 3: Connect your Project Proposal to the main OLPCorps wiki page (this page). In your short summary below, type the following to link your Project Proposal to this site: OLPCorps_UniversityName_Deployment Country, which should be the same format as your Project Proposal URL.

If you are not comfortable using the wiki for publishing a draft of your proposal for feedback, drafts may be emailed to olpcorpsdrafts@gmail.com, and we will post it to the wiki for you. Note that this is not the address to send your final proposal submission.


Individuals

Max

I'm an undergraduate Social Computing Informatics student at the University of Michigan looking to join a team. I had a team secured but it fell through. Please shoot me an email @ mstoller@umich.edu if you have room. Each team should have a Computer Science student. I can be that guy. Looking to join a team as soon as possible.


Nakul

Am pursuing my final semester of Engineering at BITS Pilani, India and also own a web based startup. I got to know about the initiative a bit late and hence couldn't put together a team. Please mail in to jnakul@gmail.com if you would be needing someone who has had an experience in conceptualizing a plan and implementing it under restricted resources.

NGOs

If you are an NGO based in Africa interested in working with a student group to carry out such a project, or if you are working on your own initiatives with educational programs that are, please list yourself and your project here : your name, your project name, where you are based / where you are working, and how to get in touch with you.

Positive Planet

We are a non-profit organization that based in New York City and in the Rakai and Masaka Districts in Uganda that creates partnerships between the US and Ugandan schools. Our primary goals are to improve the educational infrastructure of the Ugandan schools and to have the US students see that they can make a positive impact on the world. Over the past 6 years we've raised about $90,000, all of which has been used to build classrooms, water tanks, sanitation facilities, desks, repair roofs, and other similar projects that have affected close to 3,000 Ugandan students.

We have encouraged our students to communicate through pen pal letters but feel it would be much more powerful and a lot quicker if the communication could be through e-mail. We were planning to seek old computer donations and try to set up a computer lab at one of the schools this summer. We just heard about the OLPC program and are very excited about the possibilities of it really impacting our communities. We have strong roots in the community and believe the work could succeed. We would love to talk to a team of students interested in putting together a quick proposal and working with us. Please see www.positiveplanet.net for more info (check out the on-line films in the Zoom In section). Please contact me directly at mgreene@positiveplanet.net to talk if you are interested.

The Model International Telecommunications Union Youth Organization

The Model International Telecommunications Union Youth Organization (MODEL ITU) has been formed as a youth based ICT empowerment initiative aimed at assimilating the ideals and principles of the mainstream International Telecommunication Union with special reference to the Special Initiative Unit in Kenya (http://projects.tigweb.org/model-itu,).

We aim at bridging the digital divide, youth and children empowerment and entrepreneurship, cyber peace and peace contests, internet safety, environmental protection and social networking.

We welcome any team that has interest in working with us and will. We will respond fast to any inquiry. Thanks . Email (alek.owino@gmail.com or asudi22@gmail.com. MIKE, 2008 ITU ALUMNUS; KENYA

Trees for Clean Energy Network and Magoso School

Trees for Clean Energy Network has been working with schools and communities to promote environmental Education. This project of OLPCorps will open up Africa since it will give opportunity to African child to tell their story, learn more about health, environment and development. This will also enable the children exchange ideas and learn from children outside Kenya. Currently almost all children under 12 years have no idea of what is a computer and even their Teachers. I look forward to working with one of Corps in Magoso school and assisting him or her to develop this great idea to children of Magoso school.

Radio Station in Malawi

Hi, I am Gloria Masanza and i work as a sub-editor at a privately -owned radio station in Malawi, Central Africa. I have a friend working with the American Peace Corps in the country and she told me about the one laptop per child program. I have become so fascinated with the program since she told me, and we are working to link up with an organisation which is already working on children's rights. So I would like to know how we can get the intern teams visit us and see what we can do for our children. There are a lot of children here in Malawi who cannot even explain what a computer is, and over 90 percent of Malawi's children have never seen a computer, so this may just be a stepping stone, to the future. My e-mail is gmasanza@yahoo.com.

Children Rights International - Ghana right!Fight child labour!

This is Bright Appiah, briahus @ yahoo.com, the director for Child Rights International.
We have interest in a team visiting or serving as station in Africa.

Our commitment is to provide an ongoing voice for children and also reaffirm the faith of young people’s hope for a better future.

Please visit our website Children Rights International. thanks


Kijabe Primary School (Kenya)

My name's Becca Nelson and I'm currently living in Kijabe Kenya working with Kenyakidscan.org. There is a rural kenyan school nearby that would benefit deeply from 100 laptops--and has an infrastructure in place to handle the years following your team's departure. In addition, there is a school of about 120 children in Nairobi (slum area) that also would benefit and has accountable, technical people in the vicinity.

Let me know if you're looking for a kenyan adventure. :). thanks! nelson.rebecca@gmail.com.


The Ungana Foundation

As a result of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda gained one million new orphans, still surviving today as the potential new leaders of Rwanda's future. Orphaned children around the world face many obstacles including depression, lack of home support, minimal education, and hindered self-development. Starting June 2009, the UNGANA Foundation seeks to alleviate these odds by introducing 'Goals for Goals' to the ambitious youth of Gisenyi, Rwanda. Utilizing developmentally responsive activities, the 'Goals for Goals' program creates a space where Rwandan children can express creativity and voice and empowers the children with the life skills necessary to improve their own circumstances.

The Ungana Foundation is working on setting up an OLPCorps program in Rwanda for Summer 2009, but we need help - notably with IT setup and long-term funding. Please contact Ashley Linford, Programs Associate for more information at: ashley@unganafoundation.org

www.unganafoundation.org

Madagascar School Project

The Madagascar School Project is a small NGO based in Alexandria, Canada. In October 2008, we opened our elementary school in the rural village of Ambatoharanana, Madagascar. In a culture where a child's potential is often minimalized, the school has validated them as contributing members of their society. It is amazing how in such a short period of time, the children (and hence their community) have grown in terms of knowledge and new attitudes. Imagine what more could be accomplished if each student was provided with an XO to engage the global community and to equipe them with skills to ensure their competency in a world increasingly entwined with technology. For more information on the MSP, please visit www.madagascarschoolproject.com. If you are a team or individual seeking affiliation with an NGO and our work and philosophy are of interest to you, please contact me, Joseline Beaulieu, at holycatfish@sympatico.ca . I'd love to hear from you. The MSP may be a small organization but we can provide a team with excellent support. Thank-you for your interest. Hope to hear from someone soon.

Joseline


Blessing the Children International

BCI (Blessing the Children International) is a nonprofit organization working with several hundred children in Ethiopia, Africa. We regualary send teams and individuals to Ethiopia to work with orphaned, abandoned and impoverished children. We are completing construction on an elemenary school, and also sponsor/support over 100 children's care & Education.

Visit our website: Blessing the Children (www.BlessingTheChildren.org) Or email us at info@BlessingTheChildren.org

The Township Baseball Academy-Philippi Township, Cape Town, South Africa

We are a registered South African Non-Profit Organization employing a unique intervention model for at-risk township youth, combining the physical and social benefits of team sport with principles of achievement, positive communication, and discipline, borne through experiential education on the playfield, and transferred into the classroom. We work with a group of approximately 200 children, most aged 6-13, have access to an indoor activity center, and conduct year-round programming 3-4 days/week in baseball and academic enrichment. We would be delighted to hear from groups interested in working with our committed group of children in Cape Town. We currently utilize 8-10 American exchange student-volunteers through the University of Cape Town so we have familiarity with facilitating volunteer programming. Please view our website: [1] and contact Executive Director, Ian Edelstein, e-mail: ian@townshipbaseball.org, for more information.

Girls' Mentoring Centers in Mauritania

Peace Corps Mauritania supports 22 Girls' Mentoring Centers across the country specifically designed to help underprivilged girls who have a strong interest in academic pursuits. The centers are supported by the local communities and run by Peace Corps Volunteers and locally trained mentors ensuring a better opportunity for longer standing sustainability. For more information, contact Ginger Tissier at gtissier@gmail.com.

Kasumba Nursery and Primary School, Mubende, Uganda

Kasumba Nursery and Primary School is located in the rural town of Mubende which is 160kms from Kampala City in Uganda. The school has a kindergarten for children 4-6 years and a primary section for children between 6 - 12 years.

Mubende District is among the poorest performing districts in all academic levels in the country, and requires a lot of uplifting in terms of computers, books and other resources. The school is surrounded by more than 15 other primary schools whose performance is relatively poor. This school and the surrounding schools can benefit very much from the support and training that can be provided by the OLPCorps during that period. The school uses English as medium of instruction to the children. The school has the infrastructure and the teachers who can be trained to further the work of the project within the school and the surrounding schools.

We shall be excited to have a team of OLPCorps who can come to this school and contribute to its development and the surrounding environment.

For more information contact: kasnursery@yahoo.com

eduWeavers.org & eSibonisweni Primary School (South Africa)

My name is Dave Hall, an individual volunteer working with eduWeavers.org (of San Rafael, CA) and eSibonisweni Primary School (27° 4'14" S, 32°28'13"E) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to implement an initial 80 XOs and an internet link at the school.

Please check out our videoclip made in February during the first phase of the implementation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psF_Yh0U9c4

On behalf of the headmaster of the school, Mr. Jubilee Tembe, I would like to extend an invitation to teams seeking a rural school destination to help further develop the project. Over the next few weeks I will be conducting a video survey of all the surrounding schools in the district for the purpose of developing a "pull-oriented" community-wide scale-up proposal and a visual database of candidate schools to help eduWeavers.org build their school-2-school programme. As an individual I will be available in a local ground support role, acting as guide, assisting with video documentation, liasing between community and local education authorities and helping to make your project as lasting success.

Contact details: actionscientist@gmail.com

Global Family Rescue (Tanzania, Uganda)

Global Family Rescue is is a non-profit faith-based charitable organization passionately dedicated to bringing hope to families living in extreme poverty throughout the world. Our goal is to help these families progress from extreme poverty to self-sufficiency within three years, and to increase the economic strength and stability of their communities through project based initiatives focused on clean water, education, vocational skills and more.

Working in several villages in Tanzania & Uganda. Funding might be possible.

Interested student groups may contact: david.stupay@globalfamilyrescue.org, renataw21@gmail.com


Bosco-Net (Bamako, Mali)

Distributes and supports educational computing resources to schools in Bamako, Mali.

Sylvestre Kamissoko <boscnet@yahoo.fr> Tél:00223-66-79-44-32 Bamako-Mali


Build A School (Malawi)

Build A School builds schools for the children most in need in the developing world, through sustainable building practices and renewable energies, to promote sustainable development education.


Luke Dolby, Chairman (luke@buildaschool.org.uk) Build A School www.buildaschool.org.uk

Schools

Great Commission Academy, Kamwaura, Kenya

School profile PDF

If you are interested in contacting or partnering with this school, please contact Shikoh Gitau, shikoh.gitau@gmail.com.

Janet Primary School, Dundori, Kenya

Janet Primary School profile: (.pdf, .doc) Picture of school: Janet.jpg

If you are interested in contacting or partnering with this school, please contact Shikoh Gitau, shikoh.gitau@gmail.com.

Centre Africa Obota, Bamako, Mali

If you are interested in contacting or partnering with this school, please contact Yacouba Berthe, YBerthe@hotmail.com, or CAOMail@hotmail.com.

Mali is a French-speaking country, so fluency in French is a plus. Berthe speaks English.

Other Ways to Participate

We're looking to reach university students across the world to participate in the OLPCorps Grant Program - this is a global learning movement. If you can translate a short one page letter from English into any other relevant language, e-mail OLPCorps@laptop.org to help out. You can also edit these wiki pages, too.

Please request to join our Sunday 4PM or 6PM EDT conference calls.

Newer Minutes from Sunday's Public Call -- March 8th 6PM - 7:30PM.


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