This
July we opened a small computer school in Camp Perrin. Classes officially
began on July 19, 2004. The school fills a critical need to provide
training in information technology in the community. The facility
accommodates two large constituencies: those that know how to use
a computer but need access to equipment and the Internet to expland
their knowledge, and those who would like to learn about computers.
Information
technology levels the playing-field by allowing third-world students
and professionals access to the same resources as people in developed
countries.
A
HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCE
Our approach
to computer education is simple: a teacher will provide the basic
tools needed to foster a hands-on learning experience. The aim is
to empower each person to undertake an individual journey of exploration
that provides practical guidance but does not set arbitrary limits.
In a departure from many programs in Haiti, students will not share
computers during class and practice times. In addition to 4 hours
of classroom instruction per week, each student is given ample practice
time on the computers to develop their skills. The basic course covers
the Microsoft suite of programs: Windows, Word, Excel and Explorer.
More advanced courses will introduce continuing students to Microsoft
Access, PowerPoint and the elements of web design.
ONLY
YOUR GENEROUS SUPPORT MADE THE SCHOOL POSSIBLE
We would
like to offer our special thanks on behalf of the community for the
support we received to convert an old seed storage shed into a computer
school...
The
old seed storage shed
During
the conversion process
The
finished school
OUR
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP We
would like to offer our special thanks to FOKAL
(Fondation Connaissance et Liberté, The Open Society Institute
Haiti funded by Georges Soros) who provided 80% of the funds for the
school building conversion and improvements - and also to the US Peace
Corps for a Small Project Assistance Grant for the building. Teacher's salaries: We would also like to thank HaitiFutur in France for their commitment to helping us with the teachers' salaries for the school enabling us to provide high quality tuition at a low cost to the students. The
desktop computers:
generously donated by GlaxoSmithKline.
The
laptop computers:
generously donated by the MIT Laptop Computer Program. We like to personally
thank Brian Murphy and Amy Smith of MIT for making this possible, and
Amy for hand carrying down some of the laptops Our
special thanks to all the individuals who generously made donations
to complete the school installations, ship the computers to Haiti, purchase
a printer and other essential equipment: Josette Thomas, Fen Chou and
J.C. Lin, Fen-Pi Chou, Sharon Comfort, Tom Covey, Christopher Doherty,
Davis Doherty, Dennis Doherty, Dmitry Feld, Leah Houghton, Barett Joyner,
Greg Kelly, Deb and Dave Kessler, Beverly LaCross, Ann Lin, Anne Moyer,
Ron and Sue Rossi, John Steffens and Rody Spivey, Norma Suarez, Beth Thoresen,
Sheila Venezia, Carla Wright-Jukes, and Dale and Donna Young. Technical
support in setting up the school.
Thanks for the corporate support from Rene Gattereau and his team
at Labonet in Les Cayes including Moril Gattereau; and the
tireless efforts of Davis Doherty, Ann Lin and Zachary Morley who
spent so much time formatting and setting up the equipment. Building
design:
Our special gratitude to Eric Davenport for his excellent light
and airy design for the school, which remains cool even in the summer
heat. Thanks also to Benoit Beauboeuf and the ORE team for seeing
through the construction with such dedication.
Since 1985, the
Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment
has developed and operated fruit tree grafting and crop improvement programs
in rural Haiti.
During those years several international agencies have generously provided
the funding that made it possible to maintain continuity of our development
projects. These include USAID, the European Union, the Canadian Embassy,
Inter-American Development Bank and other contributors.
