Bridging the Technology Divide
Last year, students made a positive and lasting impact on the live of the students at Sizamkuhle Primar and Impala High Schools in the Natal Region of South Africa. Using the resources in our community, we plan to return in May 2008 to Implement the project at additional schools.
Previous goals of the on-going Bridging of the Technology Divide that have been reached already include:
- Collecting and refurbishing 50 used computers
- Install educational software on the computers and ship them to South Africa
- Sent 10 students and 2 staff members to South Africa and spend two weeks installing the computers and teaching the students and faculty basic computer skills
The project already acquired the 50 used computers, and sent them to the schools, so our immediate goals for Bridging South Africa's Technology Divide include raising money for various supplies, including chairs, tables, software, software licenses, and the cost of shipping these supplies. An Information Technology curriculum is currently being formulated by University student volunteers, which they will use to teach the students in South Africa. The curriculum will focus on the basic computing concept and the building blocks necessary for them to take advantage of the technology hat they will soon have their disposal.
This project started in September of 2006, and was implemented in South Africa in May of 2007. However, we hope to continue to work with the two primary schools in order to ensure sustainability.
This project is a great opportunity for students at Southern New Hampshire University to visit Africa, share knowledge, provide an invaluable service, and ultimately help to “Bridge South Africa's Technology Divide".
Southern New Hampshire University is working to bring computers to schools in rural South Africa. As our most immediate initiative, please join us as we aim to refurbish and put educational software and ship the computers they are on to South Africa.