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| Where's Benin, you may ask? It's in West Africa, sandwiched between Togo and Nigeria. |
Holding a reasonable level of computer literacy is more important than
ever for young people around the world.
It aids them in accessing useful information, pursuing higher education,
obtaining employment, making valuable connections, and gaining a broader worldview. Unfortunately, most students in developing
countries never even get to touch a computer – and those that do are oftentimes
unable to spend enough time hands-on with one to truly gain an understanding of
how it works.
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| One of CEG Logozohe's current computer classes |
This project aims to change this situation for students in at least one
secondary school in Benin. Along with
the NGO Superior Technician Group (STG) Informatique, I am working to equip the
secondary school in the town of Logozohe with a fully-functional and sustainable
computer lab. The secondary school, CEG
Logozohe, currently offers computer classes to students, but the number of
students in these classes grossly outweighs the resources available. Class sizes of approximately 50 students huddle
around two computers that are brought 10 miles each week by STG Informatique’s
director, Paterne Akpoly, with the hopes of practicing the theory they are
learning. Many of these students will
not get more than a few hours of time manipulating a computer throughout the
entire academic year, and if these facilities are not improved, the vast
majority will not reach the potential they could have achieved given an
adequate computer lab.
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Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Andrea Cortez helps teach
a computer class in the nearby town of Savalou. Andrea and
STG Informatique installed this computer lab in 2011.
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We are raising funds to transform one of CEG Logozohe’s classrooms into
a permanent computer lab where students will be able to thoroughly practice the
material they are learning. The lab will
contain 10 computers with internet access and will be open year-round to
students after normal classroom hours, as well as to the general public on
weekends and during school vacations. Two
photocopy machines and one color printer will also be purchased, and profit
generated from services such as photocopies, printed documents, and navigation
time will go towards the growth of the computer lab and towards other
campus-improvement projects (such as purchasing school supplies for students,
constructing a library, funding extra-curricular activities, etc.). Also, CEG Logozohe will devote a portion of
its annual budget to account for the replacement of parts for the lab, and STG
Informatique will see to routine check-ups and maintenance of equipment.
In total, approximately $3,850 is needed to realize this computer lab. Donations toward this project will provide students
at CEG Logozohe with the proper means they need to develop their computer
skills, and will go straight towards the purchase of the computers, photocopy
machines, and color printer. STG
Informatique is already providing and installing all of the necessary
accommodations for the lab, such as ceiling fans, networking cables, internet
router, inverter, projector, tables, benches, etc., which just leaves the
larger equipment to be obtained.
To view this project’s official summary on the Peace Corps Website, or
to donate to it, click here. And for any specific
questions or for more information about STG Informatique, feel free to contact
me at Crawford.david.dmc@gmail.com.
