tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60843575758935136312024-02-21T11:28:26.380-07:00Laptops to Lesotho BlogKawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.comBlogger285125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-8279951040769151892023-10-23T17:27:00.001-06:002023-10-23T17:32:03.302-06:00Laptops to Lesotho Closing<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Thank you to the many supporters of Laptops to Lesotho. On October 22, 2023, the Board of Directors voted to dissolve Laptops to Lesotho. Our goal of improving educational opportunities for the children was met with the completion of the school and library at Kokobe Elementary School. All remaining funds will be donated to <a href="https://www.friendsoflesotho.org/about-fol" target="_blank">Friends of Lesotho</a> They are an excellent organization that provides funding for many projects in Lesotho. </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">It has been an exceptional 13 years working with the people of Lesotho.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: white; font-family: "kelly slab", fantasy; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700;">excellent organization that provides ng for many projects in Lesotho. It has been a wonderful 13 years working with the people of Lesotho.</span></p>Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-80632386726559494702022-05-04T10:09:00.002-06:002022-05-04T10:11:53.630-06:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGWXPG884Moi8mW9RTq1uIPsetbyLv4aO2tc4NK0Dpzy6zufmvMST2vjIHdnxeV8fVemdA9DOZ1WlxuZ28NHqQtj7f2MgzXLXCB5HEv9qKfc8gTn4D-WTB3enTN0zUuRXeQiIrOtQpy23nesSgVDe4Mdw5ulZVeJAxdvVWXWTppD4a9tp1lHCw7c0Sg/s320/IMG_5092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGWXPG884Moi8mW9RTq1uIPsetbyLv4aO2tc4NK0Dpzy6zufmvMST2vjIHdnxeV8fVemdA9DOZ1WlxuZ28NHqQtj7f2MgzXLXCB5HEv9qKfc8gTn4D-WTB3enTN0zUuRXeQiIrOtQpy23nesSgVDe4Mdw5ulZVeJAxdvVWXWTppD4a9tp1lHCw7c0Sg/s1600/IMG_5092.jpg" width="320" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41evXr3S32QR2NR9AQ_QbNJ-nRe3r8GXlFN6levPZwaIKlRDproscdvcEt4C7_f8jWlHj0k9Rj92F10isTTug_K6TNrdXJJmq5-ZvO1R35AcuHLPjAXDwnpp2WGjMeZYiLHHRdr31LRlhre3DTaGk9lm4CPGdArzbVX16dEp_-lV1s3YLTuBtLwsZXw/s320/IMG_4559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi41evXr3S32QR2NR9AQ_QbNJ-nRe3r8GXlFN6levPZwaIKlRDproscdvcEt4C7_f8jWlHj0k9Rj92F10isTTug_K6TNrdXJJmq5-ZvO1R35AcuHLPjAXDwnpp2WGjMeZYiLHHRdr31LRlhre3DTaGk9lm4CPGdArzbVX16dEp_-lV1s3YLTuBtLwsZXw/s1600/IMG_4559.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We finally made it back to Kokobe Primary School in March. We were thrilled to see the building being utilized and we had the grand opening of the Alice Ranthimo Library.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Er8i5ErWFSOMtUJXvTC5QG_-DHLZKxV3i__d7rIuteXgIciIkFP0iIwfITgScKD2IarmE9tEHgantxGUeM9VfUQRrPXrT65SYlVqCTpqpM5rua59ZnNQo_qdZwck9XK2zyucymHPN0qVGc7I8e7OJnNzqSe3RW7Jk7U9h4M9nWAzhp5b9imTyPjNA/s320/IMG_4574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1Er8i5ErWFSOMtUJXvTC5QG_-DHLZKxV3i__d7rIuteXgIciIkFP0iIwfITgScKD2IarmE9tEHgantxGUeM9VfUQRrPXrT65SYlVqCTpqpM5rua59ZnNQo_qdZwck9XK2zyucymHPN0qVGc7I8e7OJnNzqSe3RW7Jk7U9h4M9nWAzhp5b9imTyPjNA/s1600/IMG_4574.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We had a successful two weeks organizing and decorating the new learning center that was created for the students of Kokobe. The learning center now contains more than 500 library books, 13 Kindle Fires, a SolarSPELL computer from Arizona State University, numerous puzzles, games, drawing tools and more to supplement the students educational opportunities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuL3Gvf0lMQbd54_vrV0mWUcdOmJ5m-xpcyZWTD9VVLk4k9tC2th7gTVePr_szDxhVpeEFhOVN6AU6u4TbdomL4cRNXRn4vPfxnUYY9Uln4ZEFY0pBgo9Txb80TTu1gclsIBVKKEOk8qyR61Lu72728bdMWgaPPgCcrCct-J1SX09T7Su5e0N2NCtg/s320/IMG_4464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wuL3Gvf0lMQbd54_vrV0mWUcdOmJ5m-xpcyZWTD9VVLk4k9tC2th7gTVePr_szDxhVpeEFhOVN6AU6u4TbdomL4cRNXRn4vPfxnUYY9Uln4ZEFY0pBgo9Txb80TTu1gclsIBVKKEOk8qyR61Lu72728bdMWgaPPgCcrCct-J1SX09T7Su5e0N2NCtg/s1600/IMG_4464.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The students were so excited to be able to checkout books and utilize the many resources Laptops to Lesotho provided for the students and teachers.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRONlVDHpTn_cvRGOyHHCnRI_dyhJjrtndnRzQIhz8Lz0Xyn45caa_IQXiAgCnPHppADaGvQbIO6rrwR8QOL-NMfqKEtJx3VvF552CJmKQV0RIxhC9Pdr_WNCU_Gae3iu529JEf1-oTA4sEjQDKWdSYZ8uRyiGqr_ySsUbk5NzreOoPDbkjqWeppaWHg/s320/IMG_4591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRONlVDHpTn_cvRGOyHHCnRI_dyhJjrtndnRzQIhz8Lz0Xyn45caa_IQXiAgCnPHppADaGvQbIO6rrwR8QOL-NMfqKEtJx3VvF552CJmKQV0RIxhC9Pdr_WNCU_Gae3iu529JEf1-oTA4sEjQDKWdSYZ8uRyiGqr_ySsUbk5NzreOoPDbkjqWeppaWHg/s1600/IMG_4591.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDxU8ZbuuPlq8NFnOrfj4lJ_4Nm_q6isLDWT7RtPgndwPoX5AaqKLl65hqxNNYRaFAwys5sL2IGR_JHfAOwXFDf75PMlpAVPqW3HzC-pch5qhPr73i5qBO_AQfmtni45ybCuefLLk7OnB0HaEo1UMjHwV6bup9qbS1u-1eXl--t93jJrgxKHtyWG-bw/s320/IMG_4655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDxU8ZbuuPlq8NFnOrfj4lJ_4Nm_q6isLDWT7RtPgndwPoX5AaqKLl65hqxNNYRaFAwys5sL2IGR_JHfAOwXFDf75PMlpAVPqW3HzC-pch5qhPr73i5qBO_AQfmtni45ybCuefLLk7OnB0HaEo1UMjHwV6bup9qbS1u-1eXl--t93jJrgxKHtyWG-bw/s1600/IMG_4655.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-ggq1gGegT8H74-46A4uZWiYbNuKKxvMWwM5bY0fT81F9Ajb85NC9ZmghPjgJ8ueeU6cHgQHb4986al0aqKUsu9P5XcH4-DzVHE89r08UvJswxP9w48F4-rKiveU9jIAyfmz2U7MZSM-xF6I2bA0sgSkcuu3t9Bb6E9kcRljP7V7K5kUNXaYUKdYXQ/s320/IMG_5213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-ggq1gGegT8H74-46A4uZWiYbNuKKxvMWwM5bY0fT81F9Ajb85NC9ZmghPjgJ8ueeU6cHgQHb4986al0aqKUsu9P5XcH4-DzVHE89r08UvJswxP9w48F4-rKiveU9jIAyfmz2U7MZSM-xF6I2bA0sgSkcuu3t9Bb6E9kcRljP7V7K5kUNXaYUKdYXQ/s1600/IMG_5213.jpg" width="240" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ00A5En_vAoufTvnwMA-NCIYSor-wng7CJIDxNN5Wgt3D8Yfk6KoJRDh9aswF7-pH-U1BTgUbvcVwArA7WR66o-5bil7uy5H45cpHxi8o_LpaL1c5V0uKph205KedzrCLoZCGLAZqtFB9jjOhmkkG0nQClGPvmrTEdswkmKEPq56W6PPQjG8bAQkSg/s1600/IMG_5251.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhFc0AZdILgobw7zjbHDH08MAnfkYaH7S4EmzG9_S0vX2ZbSJAWlvBn1dpGkjhyrQzIRHVlmzr2RCr4GRMKXvFPoxO1Olq7h6sNZoIqXOGKH8hp5R_N6ENTsQud-3BMkCzgua9qoY9b-QoM7WMuvWTjMrrLOydGp2pRJsKkY7-Y2smwF6BvAwmfI0MA/s320/IMG_5352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhFc0AZdILgobw7zjbHDH08MAnfkYaH7S4EmzG9_S0vX2ZbSJAWlvBn1dpGkjhyrQzIRHVlmzr2RCr4GRMKXvFPoxO1Olq7h6sNZoIqXOGKH8hp5R_N6ENTsQud-3BMkCzgua9qoY9b-QoM7WMuvWTjMrrLOydGp2pRJsKkY7-Y2smwF6BvAwmfI0MA/s1600/IMG_5352.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-70244592621925820572020-10-05T15:24:00.000-06:002020-10-05T15:24:04.910-06:00Successful Fundraiser Held<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJEXHYXDW51aiVT3pXFSli-gB2uKIYL5ynGtjiWlXZ-JDzHkk_zZTPPfvtpueODC3KwEHhR9LIx54BAxld8qSFdeSoK7GOPGx4yw1etfayAo2yGMcboTZ0Pmmo32DF7k1LyOF7SMmWLuQ/s300/sip+and+paint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUJEXHYXDW51aiVT3pXFSli-gB2uKIYL5ynGtjiWlXZ-JDzHkk_zZTPPfvtpueODC3KwEHhR9LIx54BAxld8qSFdeSoK7GOPGx4yw1etfayAo2yGMcboTZ0Pmmo32DF7k1LyOF7SMmWLuQ/s0/sip+and+paint.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.25in; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Arial Black",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Tahoma; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A great time was had by all at our first Paint and Sip
Fundraiser to benefit the educational program at Kokobe Primary School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The event raised over $1600. and the proceeds
will be used to purchase Kindle Fires for the classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-79944485558690387022020-09-10T14:01:00.000-06:002020-09-10T14:01:33.724-06:00<p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">So many have worked hard to make this classroom/library a reality. Thank you to all of our donors! Thank you to Florence and Mme Alice for coordinating everything for us in Lesotho. Our builder has come through as promised. We even have solar power so they have electricity in the building. We are in the home stretch but we are not done yet. The final touches are being put on the building, desks are being delivered, and the library is being coordinated and hopefully will be operational by spring when a team of Laptops to Lesotho educators will visit if travel restrictions are lifted. We are working to purchase the Kindle Fires and are making final decisions on the server we will use to supply the educational information for the students and teachers. In a year that seems to be filled with bad news, this is certainly a bright spot for us.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQDi13oXsBDqNMRFGo-P1xW8OKmOMM75FmnWRB9AhMGlrmXkcGuDOaGLbspNxvmb2cdbRr2zyB3Rlk1mKvYdir3rFkAdAXvegEPtFOe8E1l0wsfTtdMJIi1b2DuFUyTYbuxmgBnSwrsvn/s1040/new+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1040" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQDi13oXsBDqNMRFGo-P1xW8OKmOMM75FmnWRB9AhMGlrmXkcGuDOaGLbspNxvmb2cdbRr2zyB3Rlk1mKvYdir3rFkAdAXvegEPtFOe8E1l0wsfTtdMJIi1b2DuFUyTYbuxmgBnSwrsvn/s320/new+building.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-42624489578169081582020-07-08T18:02:00.000-06:002020-07-08T18:02:07.716-06:00Progress!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CpLccvBkOE33abil4RKBD5Y3J91x12hWNB1q14wft-EU2m7n-XzznF1U9uC8xJa5nctcb0k16aTISHCHQbYzF4h74dNXGIb0x3SsLXeQ63zQcjUnezuRlJepqao00ApigxvJCnHrdjnE/s1600/IMG-20200708-WA0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CpLccvBkOE33abil4RKBD5Y3J91x12hWNB1q14wft-EU2m7n-XzznF1U9uC8xJa5nctcb0k16aTISHCHQbYzF4h74dNXGIb0x3SsLXeQ63zQcjUnezuRlJepqao00ApigxvJCnHrdjnE/s320/IMG-20200708-WA0001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is the middle of winter in Lesotho but that has not stopped progress on the classroom/Library.Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-77866975038697713632019-11-10T13:36:00.000-07:002019-11-10T13:36:19.066-07:00Progress!!<div cwidth="659" eza="cwidth:659px;;cheight:114px;;wcalc_source:child;wcalc:106px;wocalc:106px;hcalc:684px;rend_px_area:75126;" style="background-size: auto; color: #555555; font-family: Gotham, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 20px; line-height: 38px; margin-bottom: 20px; max-width: 750px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
<b cwidth="0" eza="cwidth:0px;;cheight:0px;;wcalc_source:child;wcalc:106px;wocalc:106px;hcalc:684px;rend_px_area:0;" style="background-size: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 750px; padding: 0px;">The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.</b></div>
<div class="author" cwidth="659" eza="cwidth:659px;;cheight:24px;;wcalc_source:child;wcalc:58px;wocalc:58px;hcalc:72px;rend_px_area:15816;" style="background-size: auto; color: #555555; font-family: Gotham, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 24.6875px; margin-bottom: 20px; max-width: 750px; padding: 0px; text-align: right;">
<i cwidth="0" eza="cwidth:0px;;cheight:0px;;wcalc_source:child;wcalc:58px;wocalc:58px;hcalc:72px;rend_px_area:0;" style="background-size: auto; margin: 0px; max-width: 750px; padding: 0px;">Franklin D. Roosevelt</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While sometimes we want to progress more quickly we know it takes time to advance towards what will be. We must remove roadblocks, plan carefully, and collaborate. Behind the scenes, the collaboration with Arizona State University and its SolarSPELL project is already showing the benefits of working with this proven team. <a href="https://www.statepress.com/article/2018/04/spcampus-students-work-to-send-solar-spell-technology-to-countries-in-need" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">SolarSPELL Technology</span></a> Building plans are progressing with plans for the classroom/library/computer lab coming together. Contracts are being finalized and a timeline is being created. A teacher strike halted progress for a period of time but the project is back on track.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you would like to contribute to the advancement of this project please click on the link below. A $50 contribution will purchase a Kindle Fire or 5 library books.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you for your support. We will keep you informed as we progress on this wonderful project. </span><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/j78s5-education-for-all">https://www.gofundme.com/f/j78s5-education-for-all</a><br />
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<br />Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-9419497047973484642019-08-20T12:12:00.000-06:002019-08-20T12:12:41.808-06:00Phase 1 UpdateOne of the most important aspects of this project is raising funds to make it happen. We would like to thank Friends of Lesotho for their generous support. Also, the Panhuise Foundation has been a major benefactor and we thank them for their continued support. Many individuals have donated various amounts and large or small, they all add up to helping us complete this project. We now are in the process of drawing up building plans and obtaining bids and signed contracts. We still need to raise funds for tablets, library books, and supplies. If you would like to contribute to the success of this project please check out our <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/j78s5-education-for-all?sharetype=teams&member=2275166&rcid=r01-156632456071-1547bb5c84dc4d04&pc=ot_co_campmgmt_w" target="_blank">gofundme</a> page.Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-41862538608006745642019-05-21T17:11:00.000-06:002019-05-21T17:11:46.134-06:00Exciting new development<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">L2L is beginning a completely new phase of educational
support at Kokobe Primary School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Through a collaboration with Arizona State University, we will be
bringing “education in a box” to the students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The XO Laptops currently used will be phased out and replaced with the
Kindle Fire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students will be able to
access the SolarSPELL Educational Library. The SolarSPELL is a rugged,
portable, solar-powered digitized library which includes an offline digital
hotspot, designed to simulate an online experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, more than 275 SPELL libraries have
been deployed across the Pacific and East Africa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The content can be specific to the area and
offer many resources for teachers and students.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The school has little space for a dedicated computer lab and the principal requested our help in building a dedicated computer classroom and library. That
will be phase 1 of the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
computer lab will have a solar-powered electrical system to charge computer
hardware. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; font-size: 13pt; line-height: 107%;">“SolarSPELL’s mission
is to provide relevant, localized educational content to resource-constrained
locations around the world.</span>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To
Learn more about SolarSPELL visit <a href="http://solarspell.org/">solarspell.org</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-3614174244541135992019-04-01T10:31:00.000-06:002019-05-21T15:16:43.706-06:00Lesotho Teachers on Strike<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Dyslexie; font-size: 16px;">
The strike has been going on for a month now with no end in sight, according to this article:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Dyslexie; font-size: 16px;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://lestimes.com/teachers-vow-to-fight-education-bill/&source=gmail&ust=1553973745609000&usg=AFQjCNExV4E0042lIUf8L4fnmKsUPBaGSg" href="http://lestimes.com/teachers-vow-to-fight-education-bill/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">http://lestimes.com/teachers-<wbr></wbr>vow-to-fight-education-bill/</span></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Dyslexie; font-size: 16px;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Dyslexie; font-size: 16px;">
This article gives more details about the teachers’ grievances and demands:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Dyslexie; font-size: 16px;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://maserumetro.com/news/teachers-unions-petition-lesotho-parliament/&source=gmail&ust=1553973745609000&usg=AFQjCNEVX2z-SEtE-6C20pfhDXL1bXVSjA" href="https://maserumetro.com/news/teachers-unions-petition-lesotho-parliament/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: medium;">https://maserumetro.com/news/<wbr></wbr>teachers-unions-petition-<wbr></wbr>lesotho-parliament/</span></a></div>
Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-44450883336034723322016-12-19T16:40:00.000-07:002019-05-21T15:16:43.782-06:00New Lessons for XO Laptops<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New math lessons created in the program Scratch are now
available to students at Kokobe. Perseverance
is the key to success. Our on the ground
person in Maseru, Florence, received the lessons and an internet café person
was going to help her download the lessons onto flash drives. After a number of failed attempts Florence
was able to find the right person to help her.
Hence – new math lessons for students at Kokobe.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-80751128222825364672016-10-08T13:33:00.002-06:002019-05-21T15:16:43.902-06:00Back in Action<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49_j8Q_5AlmOb9GdPWMvKGEcpeGNUjH5qRc5OxZVhhZELpsU6T0i7Hsxrge8LGOztodPbStPGo2fJqbs6OtxtIemVvJhk_Eq8Gk_CUzhvEBm2iBoS1wc0Yil9BxqzIeXijs5Tp_4EKNWT/s1600/Lesotho+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49_j8Q_5AlmOb9GdPWMvKGEcpeGNUjH5qRc5OxZVhhZELpsU6T0i7Hsxrge8LGOztodPbStPGo2fJqbs6OtxtIemVvJhk_Eq8Gk_CUzhvEBm2iBoS1wc0Yil9BxqzIeXijs5Tp_4EKNWT/s200/Lesotho+080.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After a short hiatus, Laptops to Lesotho is working again to provide educational opportunities to rural Lesotho. What is in the works for L2L? </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-5ba4db4d-a5c3-1d16-b935-c98f4f9fb8ec" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janissa has been busy creating lessons to be used with the XO laptops. Most lessons have been created in a program called Scratch. Volunteers are always needed to help with creating these lessons. Our contact in Lesotho, Florence, will be purchasing flash drives to download the lessons to, and make them available for the XO laptops.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Kokobe, Florence will provide the flash drives with the lessons and provide a refresher on uploading the lessons to the computers. She will also check on the solar panel wiring and laptops that need repairs. In addition, she will provide the funds for repairs, inspect winter damage, view and support teachers giving classroom lessons with the laptops, and coordinate the dates for the next training session.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Currently Janissa and a new volunteer, Bill Savage, are planning on going to Lesotho for the next intensive training for teachers and students. More volunteers would be welcome with the understanding that they would need to pay their own way. If you have some computer and teaching skills, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience the wonderful people and culture of Lesotho.</span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Janissa has found a wonderful source for laptops and parts. The source is in the process of testing and refurbishing the laptops and batteries. These are needed as laptops wear out or need repair.</span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We will provide updates as Laptops to Lesotho goes back into action.</span></div>
Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-72566952229596090002016-01-24T11:34:00.000-07:002019-05-21T15:16:43.863-06:00L2L To Temporarily Suspend OperationsProviding Laptops to remote locations in Southern Africa comes with its challenges. Hardware constraints, reliable on the ground support, and changing leadership requires Laptops to Lesotho to temporarily suspend operations. The board unanimously agreed that resuming operation in the future will occur, but the timing is uncertain. Please check back with us in the future and learn about the positive changes to Laptops to Lesotho.Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-70309291432698380262015-07-19T13:52:00.001-06:002019-05-21T15:16:43.822-06:00Lesotho: What's behind the political unrest<a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-33416642" target="_blank">BBC News</a><br />
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<br />Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-84749450041122938972015-07-19T13:36:00.000-06:002019-05-21T15:16:43.943-06:00L2L Featured on Quickflics<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We're excited that we were chosen to be the featured charity on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quickflics Corporate Blog. Quickflics is an app service that lets users upload photos and videos to a cloud sevice (QuickCloud), and they send users a DVD or USB Flash Drive of their memories each month.</span><br />
<br />
<pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt><a href="https://quickflics.com/laptops-to-lesotho/" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer;" target="_blank">https://quickflics.com/laptops-to-lesotho/</a></tt></pre>
Kawpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12503773421123358403noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-31928972058818058962015-07-15T03:24:00.001-06:002015-07-15T03:24:50.508-06:00Scratch Lessons for Lesotho<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRJyq3Q05eogeaGmwsa2NL8KQ9h6mWWABM_IQJqg-K338B2BUxxldg7TcnJ2Y-BJHQFMAp7FkVHSqzH6HaSdCoJJQSAG90VgaP6TU5YMBy1luhCb2q3sy9ONrdm_grRVcQpptrB3bTpQ/s1600/3x2.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRJyq3Q05eogeaGmwsa2NL8KQ9h6mWWABM_IQJqg-K338B2BUxxldg7TcnJ2Y-BJHQFMAp7FkVHSqzH6HaSdCoJJQSAG90VgaP6TU5YMBy1luhCb2q3sy9ONrdm_grRVcQpptrB3bTpQ/s200/3x2.PNG" width="200" /></a> L2L volunteers have been making digital lessons for the primary school children in rural Lesotho who are using XO laptops at their schools. <br />
<br />
The lessons cover topics in ESL (English as a Second Language), math, science, and cognitive skills. There are games, instructional lessons, and practice exercises. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1IewwDrNHmgciWLN-k-EzKg7Oow4pI7rSiXW_XFE9UsQ7Fc7grDt1y0DhDGgAULgPxg61N3GFo-OqW34mggtQeM4LTRLV4U0j1AkhPCLdyrtoWo_8VK6BmdPhQnG9fshCCg_SoWVpOI/s1600/12.BMP" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1IewwDrNHmgciWLN-k-EzKg7Oow4pI7rSiXW_XFE9UsQ7Fc7grDt1y0DhDGgAULgPxg61N3GFo-OqW34mggtQeM4LTRLV4U0j1AkhPCLdyrtoWo_8VK6BmdPhQnG9fshCCg_SoWVpOI/s200/12.BMP" width="196" /></a><br />
These lessons are customized for the language and academic skills of the children in rural Lesotho, and they use familiar images from their culture and environment.<br />
<br />
A key advantage of using computer lessons to teach standard subjects in Lesotho is that students in overcrowded classroom can repeat a lesson as many times as they need and get instant feedback on their answers. Scores on screen help teachers see immediately who is struggling with a particular lesson.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><div align="left">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorUDUfZ3rQygUtqhxrXc4lfgl17QDX9cMKSNQoeh5dF8Z_LXozsdfyXEdZC5UT4hrfwbcNU2nig6IDHwB-bjZnGpsIaoDY-74QI77cpLNXcGlh74N_LANkY5kRKdKdlMu8t8v69IiB_g/s1600/scratch+blocks.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><br />
Scratch is a computer program language designed by MIT to help teach children how to program. It is also highly suitable for creating lessons on XO-1 laptops like we use in Lesotho. The program code is made up of color-coded blocks that are interlocking. Children have the option to watch the live action (lesson) while viewing the programming that created it.<br />
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You can view a sample of these lessons on the L2L's page on the Scratch website. To start a lesson, click on the green flag.<br />
<a href="https://scratch.mit.edu/users/L2L/projects/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://scratch.mit.edu/users/L2L/projects/</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmHaunqbCs4ku4v4dnWa3jvsn-cGv8JYnOY9gohwvm36alYyXhywvHKMr6l8Tyf20RQEZoXrlLNHAKDDQaxTD3yWpnQOmYKacpFwzg0iMbaieYeMP4y7YJvs-A-XTSFuMxmCsSK141yE/s1600/patterns+8.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmHaunqbCs4ku4v4dnWa3jvsn-cGv8JYnOY9gohwvm36alYyXhywvHKMr6l8Tyf20RQEZoXrlLNHAKDDQaxTD3yWpnQOmYKacpFwzg0iMbaieYeMP4y7YJvs-A-XTSFuMxmCsSK141yE/s200/patterns+8.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-73479843832728011382015-06-20T16:05:00.001-06:002015-06-20T16:09:10.740-06:00Vodacom Lesotho Extends Internet Coverage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Vodacom Lesotho has expanded it's broadband internet services to all parts of the country that previously could receive only a cellphone signal but no internet signal. This could be great news for our programs in Ketane, meaning the laptops there might now be able to access the internet. <br />
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This news was reported by Public Eye Online about two months ago:<br />
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<em>"Vodacom Lesotho has finished rolling out its broadband internet service (3G)
across all its towers to become the first operator to provide internet coverage
to the majority in the country.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>"This means that any part of the country that has Vodacom signal in Lesotho now
also has internet coverage.</em><br />
<em></em><br />
<em>"We firmly believe that access to communication services has been a driving force
for development in Lesotho and that it continues to be transformational as we
work to make accessible, voice, internet and m-pesa services for Basotho."</em><br />
<em></em><br />
Read the full story by Public Line Online: <a href="http://www.publiceyenews.com/site/2015/04/17/vodacom-extends-internet-coverage/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Vodacom Extends Internet Coverage</a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-18731051877084262162015-05-13T16:20:00.000-06:002015-05-13T17:01:47.429-06:00Beware of Others Using the Laptops to Lesotho Name<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you see a "laptopstolesotho" URL in some form other than <a href="http://www.laptopstolesotho.org/">www.laptopstolesotho.org</a>, it is not in anyway associated with our organization, Laptops to Lesotho Inc.<br />
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I believe a Chinese network registry company , in conjunction with an individual or business there, is trying to coerce Laptops to Lesotho into paying for the rights to the "laptopstolesotho" domain names and internet keyword in China.<br />
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In emails from the network registry company, it's company name was not specified, which made me suspicious from the start. The company's URL is www . <dot>cnwebregistry . <dot>net and Jim Gong lists himself as their general manager, though he signed the email only as "Jim". </dot></dot><br />
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Mr. Gong said the business that wants to use our name is called Huayu Ltd. However, in correspondence with the supposed representative of this company, Jiang Zhihai, neither his title nor the company's name was stated.<br />
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Via Mr. Gong, I asked Huayu Ltd. to respect our name and give us the courtesy of finding a different name to use, but Jiang Zhihai refused. <br />
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Unless we pay for the domain names ourselves, we have no legal standing to dispute anyone using our name. As we have very limited financial resources, we cannot afford to bend to extortion which would divert resources from our valuable humanitarian work. <br />
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While I do not have specific proof that these companies are engaged in actual extortion or a scam, an internet search brings up their names in relation to attempts to coerce others to pay for domain name and internet keyword rights in exactly the same way. Please feel free to email complaints about their unethical practices as many times as you like to <span class="recpt_head">"Jiang Zhihai" <a href="mailto:jiang_zhihai088@vip.sina.com">jiang_zhihai088@vip.sina.com</a> and "Jim" <a href="mailto:jim.gong@cnwebregistry.net">jim.gong@cnwebregistry.net</a></span>.<br />
<br />
Janissa<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-19225674348678951942015-02-15T11:09:00.001-07:002015-02-15T11:09:35.319-07:00More XOs for students<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Taking every opportunity to save on shipping, Janissa just shipped 10 more XO laptops, some spare batteries, and computer mice to a group of Rotarians, who will carry them in their luggage to Maseru. Eight will then go by public transport to Kokobe Primary School in a remote mountain region of Lesotho. Two of the laptops will be awarded to the December 2014 valedictorians of the graduating classes at Kokobe and Nohana Primary Schools. The laptops and batteries were donated to </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 12pt;"><a class="profileLink" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: blue; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">Laptops to Lesotho</span></a></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"> by I Love My XO. </span><span style="background-color: yellow;">Thank you so much to the Rotarians and I Love My XO.</span></span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-19480775747621151002015-02-15T10:57:00.000-07:002015-02-15T10:57:17.622-07:00Travel Alert<b class="callout_text" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The State Department alerts U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Lesotho to the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for February 28, 2015.</b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">U.S. citizens are urged to exercise caution and remain abreast of the security situation throughout the electoral period. This Travel Alert expires on March 21, 2015.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As a result of a political and security crisis in late 2014, Lesotho¿s political parties agreed to hold early elections in February 2015. Although Lesotho¿s 2012 parliamentary elections were generally orderly and peaceful, the State Department recommends U.S. citizens maintain a high level of security awareness during the electoral period and avoid political rallies, demonstrations, polling stations, and crowds of any kind. Instances of unrest related to the election are possible, and U.S. citizens should be aware that even peaceful gatherings and demonstrations can turn violent. Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates.</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Local stores, including grocery stores, may be closed over the electoral weekend. U.S. citizens are reminded that as a general matter of emergency preparedness, you should maintain adequate supplies of food, water, essential medicines, and other supplies that will allow you to shelter in place for at least 72 hours. Additional recommendations on emergency preparedness are available in Mission South Africa¿s recently-posted "</span><a href="http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/sm-02062015.html" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Message for U.S. Citizens: Emergency Preparedness for U.S. Citizens Living Abroad</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">."</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Lesotho enroll in the </span><a href="https://step.state.gov/step/" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">Department of State¿s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program</a><u style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> (STEP)</u><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> at </span><a href="http://travel.state.gov/" style="background-color: white; color: blue; cursor: pointer; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" target="_blank">travel.state.gov</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">. STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don¿t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">State Dept. Post </span></span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-68863608394525414552015-01-01T12:16:00.003-07:002015-01-01T12:16:52.807-07:00Project Support<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; font-size: 13px;">
A problem has arisen and it looks like the Nohana teachers will not be attending the January training Tony planned for them. It is still uncertain whether or not the Kokobe teachers will be able to attend.</div>
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I had asked the teachers to pay for their own transport and food during training, but the Nohana teachers have just decided that they cannot pay. Knowing that they might not be able to pay the expenses themselves, I also asked Matlabe to submit a proposal to Solon Foundation to pay for their training expenses. (Cecily has already told me she would support such a proposal.) However, Matlabe met with the Nohana School Board, and together they have refused to submit a proposal because they are afraid it will jeopardize their plans to submit a proposal to Solon for new desks. </div>
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This is an indication of where Matlabe and the Nohana School Board’s priorities are, and unfortunately, they are not with the computer project.</div>
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Part of our original agreement was that the schools would pay a portion of the annual project expenses, and that they would eventually take complete control of the computer project, including funding. If Matlabe, the teachers, and the Nohana School Board are not willing to make any effort, let alone personal sacrifices, to improve their own computer skills so they can help their students, then I see no reason for L2L to pay their share of the expenses. </div>
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They are leaning on L2L too much and not doing enough for themselves. It is my opinion that we must stay true to the project’s guiding philosophy. We must let the project’s success or failure rest on their shoulders.</div>
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It is not clear yet how the Kokobe teachers will respond to the request to pay their expenses, either out of their own pockets or via a grant proposal. I am hopeful that Alice will work with Florence to submit a proposal to Solon Foundation. Florence is looking into the possibility of holding training just for the Kokobe teachers, possibly in Mohale’s Hoek, with lodging in a school dorm there. It would cost the Kokobe teachers significantly less to travel to Mohale’s Hoek than to Morija or Maseru.</div>
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If that does not work out, we will fall back on Plan B. The teachers would submit questions to Florence, then she and Mamatsepe would meet with Tony in Maseru to get his answers to the teachers questions. Tony could also provide them further training on the XO laptops and the school servers, then Florence and Mamatsepe would travel to Ketane and train the teachers there.</div>
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Today is my last day as President of Laptops to Lesotho. I have responded to these latest events as I saw best, a continuation of my slow dance of nudging, guiding, reinforcing, and prodding the Lesotho participants to get them to move in the direction I think will ensure their success. As of tomorrow, it will be up to you all whether or not to continue down this path. Whatever course you take, I have faith in you, and I look forward to supporting your efforts in the future.</div>
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Best wishes for a happy and fulfilling new year,</div>
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Janissa</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-68942292632576443082014-11-16T11:10:00.001-07:002014-11-16T11:10:26.623-07:00Book Review<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My wonderful son, Craig,
was born in Lesotho. He loves to give
unique and thoughtful gifts for birthdays, holidays, etc. He did not disappoint me on my birthday. Knowing my continued interest in Lesotho, he
took the time to find books with Lesotho as the setting.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first book I read was The
Mountain School written by Peace Corps Volunteer Greg Alder. Peace Corps Volunteers have a unique
perspective on village life as they live as the Basotho do. The author helped me experience what it is
really like to live in the village of Tsoeneng.
I found his writing insightful, and it helped me get to know the
characters in his book. He was respectful
of the culture and helped me experience life first hand in a Lesotho
village. The book was engaging and well
written. You can read more reviews and
purchase it as an e-book on </span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><u><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=the+mountain+school&rh=n%3A133140011%2Ck%3Athe+mountain+school"><span style="color: #0070c0;">Amazon</span></a></span></u></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other two books
are <i>Singing Away the Hunger, </i>an
autobiography by Mpho ‘M’ Atsep Nthunya, and <i>Basali!: Stories by and about women in Lesotho. </i>The books are on my
nightstand and will be devoured over the Christmas break.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sala hantle,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kathy</span></span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-34522207003668002232014-10-27T18:31:00.001-06:002014-10-27T18:31:21.516-06:00Proposed Budget for 2015 <div>
L2L Treasurer Vicki Panhuise and President Janissa Balcomb held an informal budget meeting on October 26th to draw up a draft budget for 2015, to present to the Board at their next meeting.</div>
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Here are the seven primary items L2L hopes to fund in 2015 --</div>
<ul>
<li>Lesson Development and Software Licenses ($250)
<li>Teacher & Student Training at Kokobe and Nohana Primary Schools ($7000)
<li>Phase I of Project Expansion at Pela Tsoeu ($3524) <ul>
<li>Evaluation,
<li>Community Organization,
<li>Leadership Development and Mentoring,
<li>Limited Initial Hardware and Software Deployment, and
<li>Introductory Teacher and Student Training</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Volunteer Stipend, Expenses, & Training ($3576)
<li>Hardware Repair and Replacement (from normal use) at Kokobe and Nohana ($2940) <ul>
<li>deep-cycle solar power system batteries
<li>laptop batteries, screens, keyboards, motherboards, replacement laptops</li>
</li>
</ul>
<li>Shipment of donated laptops from Pueblo West High School to Lesotho ($1300)
<li>Miscellaneous expenses ($300)</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</li>
</ul>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-24126327133660660402014-10-22T10:45:00.000-06:002014-10-22T10:54:04.791-06:00Going Global? The Growing Movement to Let Kids Learn Just by Tinkering<DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: #000000"> <DIV style='FONT-SIZE: small; TEXT-DECORATION: none; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri"; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; COLOR: #000000; FONT-STYLE: normal; DISPLAY: inline'> <DIV dir=ltr> <DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'; COLOR: #000000"> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>Leslie Engle Young was at a schoolhouse in Agorhome, Ghana, surrounded by a room full of mystified fifth graders. None of them had ever used a computer or surfed the internet, and yet, Young had just handed out a stack of tablet computers, asking them to answer a few basic questions using these mysterious devices.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>"The kids had no idea what was going on," she remembers. "The first girl who touched the tablet, I had to hold her finger to get her to touch it, because she was scared it was going to shock her."</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>Then, something happened that delighted and amazed Young: with no instruction whatsoever, the students started figuring it out. "It was instantaneous," she says. "They opened the browser, saw the empty bar at the top, and everyone just clicks on it. Then they're like 'Oh, there's a keyboard,' and started typing. It's like: 'How did you figure that out?'" By the end of a few hours, the students were presenting the new knowledge they'd acquired all on their own, using devices they'd never seen before.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>Young is the director of impact for Pencils of Promise, a New York City non-profit that has built nearly 250 schools across Ghana, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Laos. Last month, Pencils of Promise began experimenting with an emerging style of teaching called the self-organized learning environment, or SOLE. In a SOLE classroom, rather than lecturing students, teachers pose a question and let them use technology and curiosity to arrive at an answer. It's a method designed to encourage critical thinking and knowledge retention.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT color=#333333 face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt">The SOLE model didn't begin with Pencils of Promise. It's based on the theories, which </FONT></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt"><A style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cbeefa 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px" href="http://www.wired.com/2013/10/free-thinkers/all/" target=_blank><FONT color=#00aeef><FONT style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" face=Georgia>WIRED explored in-depth last fall</FONT></FONT></A></FONT><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>, of Sugata Mitra, a professor of educational technology at Newcastle University. But Pencils of Promise is poised to take this growing movement a step further. </FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Helvetica><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 10.8pt" color=#333333><STRONG>Rather than lecturing students, teachers pose a question and let them use technology and curiosity to arrive at an answer.</STRONG></FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>In 1999, Mitra launched a highly publicized experiment called Hole-in-the-Wall, in which he placed a computer in the middle of a New Delhi slum, and watched to see if kids could teach themselves to use it. They could, and they did. Mitra then parlayed that success into the creation of School in the Cloud, a set of schools based on the SOLE model. He argued that if students could use technology to take a more active role in their own education, they'd learn a lot more than they do in a standard classroom. Last year, Mitra won the $1 million TED Prize to bring the School in the Cloud to life.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT color=#333333 face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt">Since then, the concept of child-led, technology-enabled education has flowered and is being tested in schools from </FONT></FONT><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt"><A style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cbeefa 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px" href="http://blog.ted.com/2014/05/10/a-sole-in-action/" target=_blank><FONT color=#00aeef><FONT style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" face=Georgia>New Jersey</FONT></FONT></A><FONT color=#333333 face=Georgia> to Ghana. Other organizations like the X Prize are catching on, too. The non-profit recently launched its </FONT><A style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; BORDER-BOTTOM: #cbeefa 1px solid; MARGIN: 0px" href="http://www.wired.com/2014/09/peter-diamandis/" target=_blank><FONT color=#00aeef><FONT style="TEXT-DECORATION: none" face=Georgia>Global Learning X Prize</FONT></FONT></A></FONT><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>, offering up $15 million in prize money for software that kids could use to teach themselves. Now, with Pencils of Promise on board, the SOLE model could potentially scale exponentially across its hundreds of schools. That is, if the Ghana pilot works.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>Young says Pencils of Promise will be studying the two pilots in Ghana for at least the next six months, with help from a Newcastle University researcher. They'll track metrics like literacy and numeracy rates, but they'll also monitor student attendance to see if the SOLE really does keep kids more engaged, as well as its impact on students' critical thinking skills. If all goes well, the team plans to develop what Young calls "SOLE-in-a-box," that comes complete with tablets, a Wifi connection, and any other materials a teacher would need to run a SOLE.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>It's important to note, however, that Pencils of Promise hasn't adopted Mitra's entire model, which entails essentially eliminating teachers and replacing them with technology. Technology, Young believes, can never replace a teacher. Instead, Pencils of Promise is teaching educators how to run a SOLE classroom for, perhaps, a few hours a week. That way, Young explains, the SOLE becomes just another part of the teacher's toolbox.</FONT></FONT></P> <P style="VERTICAL-ALIGN: baseline; MARGIN: 13px 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 26px"><FONT face=Georgia><FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 9.6pt" color=#333333>"We think teachers are really the answer to getting systemic change," she says. "They might teach 25 kids this year, another 25 next year, and so on and so on. If we can fundamentally change the way teachers are trained and supported then we would have a whole different education system."</FONT></FONT></P></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-89415838536269595722014-10-21T19:51:00.002-06:002014-10-21T19:51:54.590-06:00Welcome Henk Boshoff - New L2L President<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With our president, Janissa Balcomb, stepping down we are excited that board member, Henk Boshoff, has agree to take on the presidency for one year beginning Jan. 1, 2015. Janissa has worked very hard to turn over a strong program when she steps down. We wish her the best, and we are very happy that she will continue with L2L, only in a different role.</span>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6084357575893513631.post-75831406419887460242014-10-19T18:43:00.001-06:002014-10-19T18:46:33.763-06:00L2L 2014 Trip Supports Student Learning<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If furthering the mission of L2L was the goal for the 2014 trip to
Lesotho, the trip was a success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
village of Kokobe and its elementary school was the destination for the L2L
team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another breathtakingly beautiful
setting in the mountains of Lesotho awaited the volunteers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Travel was arduous and accommodations were
basic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The enthusiasm of both students
and teachers was infectious and made the trip well worth it.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students were introduced to the use of a mouse and headsets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Janissa had used the Scratch program to
create some fun lessons to help students manipulate the mouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The training involved lessons that were tied
to the math curricula. Evenings were spent writing lessons for the next day’s
classes. The lessons were designed to help students’ problem solving skills. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students were engaged in the lessons and both
U.S. and Basotho teachers helped students with the day’s lesson.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students were trained on how to set up the solar panels and set up
the computers in the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was
an important step in developing long-term sustainability. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>L2L president had the following to say about
pacing for the project.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We may not see a significant impact until the current first
graders graduate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or even until the next
generation. We are trying to make major changes in <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">the way people learn and think. That takes time. We
have to be very <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">patient and keep plugging away at this.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“One thing about our philosophy and approach is
that we have to go at the pace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">of the local participants, and we have to accept
that delays or even outright<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">failures will happen. That has to be part
of their learning and growing process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Part of
learning to succeed is discovering that things aren’t always easy and that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">failure
is a possibility if you don’t try hard enough. We as an organization have<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">to let
the local participants succeed or fail based on their own investment in and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">leadership of the project. Then we have to mentor them in
ways to overcome any<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">failures or setbacks.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kokobe teachers were left with the tools to help support their
math curriculum with the XO Laptops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>With the project’s goal to develop long-term sustainability, the ball is
now in their court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;">2014 Team</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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