JHS Internet Orientation Day

Junior High School students and teachers from Manye Academy and Augustina schools in Axim, Ghana recently visited the WHH facility to get their first peak at the internet! Luckily, there were enough of the One Laptop Per Child computers so each student could experience the excitement individually. We love the concentration on the faces---these students long to be part of the "modern" world. They've heard about email, social networking, and researching and want with all their young hearts to be part of it.

WHH will offer serious computer learning classes to these students beginning summer term. They now have to pass exams in "ICT" (information and computing technology) before they can qualify for Senior High School. The OLPCs are a good match for students who never before have touched a computer. Along with standard stuff---keyboards, screens, back spaces, etc.---they offer about two dozen learning games that not only teach the children what a computer is all about but simultaneously give them a chance to work on math, writing, measurement, research, and so forth. These little machines are a perfect fit. And yes, the students will learn internet searching via the Google search engine which is one of the "activities" on the computer.

The WHH facility has internet access and runs a humble but active internet cafe. The main challenge is keeping everything going during the frequent power outages. We're looking at possibly helping them with a generator in the near future.

Generous North Americans donated the OLPCs to Ghana Together. We rebuild the software, repair them as needed, and deliver them to WHH. Thanks all of you!