Part 2 of the report "Treasure of Laptops to Lesotho" written by Nohana Primary School Principal Matlabe Teba:
"Nohana Primary School is engaged in a campaign against HIV and AIDS. Lesotho has infection rate of 23%. In rural and poor societies like in Ketane the case is worse. We have decided to formulate a policy whose main objectives are:
- to reduce stigma
- promote self awareness amongst pupils and community
- encourage the regular use of ARV's.
Our motto is "Education is the best vaccination for HIV/AIDS."
We have more than hundred orphans in our school. Many of these orphans are infected when some are only affected. Some are still uner medication. This is the situation that made us engage serious in campaign against HIV/AIDS."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Laptops to Lesotho is trying to help Matlabe Teba and the Nohana Primary School combat HIV/AIDS in Ketane by providing educational materials about HIV/AIDS as well as improving the general education of all students in the area.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Treasure of Laptops to Lesotho by Matlabe Teba
Excerpts from a report written by the principal of Nohana Primary School, Matlabe Teba:
Nohana Primary School is situated in Ketane in Mohale's Hoek district of Lesotho. Ketane is one of the most mountainous regions in Lesotho and also in Africa.
Majority of people staying in this region earn their living by working in the fields and by raising animals.
Because of its geographical features, means of communication and transport are very difficult. For instance, more than four-fifths of its villages are not accessible. The whole region is not connected to the internet, except only one government clinic.
In general, this is a technologically underdeveloped place, e.g. there are some villages whereby residents know nothing about cellular phone. Some residents have never seen and watched a television in their life. In some villages, majority of villagers have never seen a car. The same applies to the computers. This is the place where Nohana Primary School is located.
It is really true that these laptops are a treasure to our local community. We give great thanks to everyone who contributed to make this precious project success.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Teachers were equipped with basic computer skills.
Teachers started to train 24 student group leaders.
Teachers mobilised the pupils, community, local stakeholders and educational authorities.
Two teachers went to a one day training at Kliptown Youth Centre and Lilydale Primary School in Soweto.
Project leaders briefed Maseru Rotary Club members about our project.
All Nohana Primary School teachers got a three week school based training. My colleagues highly appreciated it. It encompasses laptop repairing, shelves fixing for computers, wiring and running generator. We got chance for practical activities that served as preliminary implementation of the project.
We formulated the regulations and contracts for teachers and parents. All these people would abide by their terms. This will guide us on how this mega treasure should be handled.
The next quantum leap was to make a work plan and schedule that classes 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be our target. Each class will have practical lesson twice a week. They can feel the presence of this treasure of Laptops to Lesotho, and also promote the sense of ownership.
We registered all 50 of these computers. This helps us to know and trace their movements.
We fixed burglar proofs in three rooms; one for computer lessons, another one for computer storage and charging and the last one for the generator.
To raise funds for the project, we have decided that our school's solar panel be used to charge cell phones and people pay as little as 30 cents per phone. This is used to buy fuel for the generator. We have also planned to have a concert once a session.
SUCCESS
Our school's roll has increased from 314 to 374 pupils. Implementation of this computer projects has reduced the rate of absenteeism. It has also improved the learners behavior as they now compete to score points about good things they do at school so they can take laptop home. Pupils are excited and motivated. They are grasping very quickly. Some community members have also shown interest in learning. We are trying to fix a plan to accommodate them in the computer reaching learning programme.
THANKS
My school gives great thanks to the people and companies that have been so instrumental from the planning up to the launching of this project.
Nohana Primary School is situated in Ketane in Mohale's Hoek district of Lesotho. Ketane is one of the most mountainous regions in Lesotho and also in Africa.
Majority of people staying in this region earn their living by working in the fields and by raising animals.
Because of its geographical features, means of communication and transport are very difficult. For instance, more than four-fifths of its villages are not accessible. The whole region is not connected to the internet, except only one government clinic.
In general, this is a technologically underdeveloped place, e.g. there are some villages whereby residents know nothing about cellular phone. Some residents have never seen and watched a television in their life. In some villages, majority of villagers have never seen a car. The same applies to the computers. This is the place where Nohana Primary School is located.
It is really true that these laptops are a treasure to our local community. We give great thanks to everyone who contributed to make this precious project success.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Teachers were equipped with basic computer skills.
Teachers started to train 24 student group leaders.
Teachers mobilised the pupils, community, local stakeholders and educational authorities.
Two teachers went to a one day training at Kliptown Youth Centre and Lilydale Primary School in Soweto.
Project leaders briefed Maseru Rotary Club members about our project.
All Nohana Primary School teachers got a three week school based training. My colleagues highly appreciated it. It encompasses laptop repairing, shelves fixing for computers, wiring and running generator. We got chance for practical activities that served as preliminary implementation of the project.
We formulated the regulations and contracts for teachers and parents. All these people would abide by their terms. This will guide us on how this mega treasure should be handled.
The next quantum leap was to make a work plan and schedule that classes 4, 5, 6, and 7 will be our target. Each class will have practical lesson twice a week. They can feel the presence of this treasure of Laptops to Lesotho, and also promote the sense of ownership.
We registered all 50 of these computers. This helps us to know and trace their movements.
We fixed burglar proofs in three rooms; one for computer lessons, another one for computer storage and charging and the last one for the generator.
To raise funds for the project, we have decided that our school's solar panel be used to charge cell phones and people pay as little as 30 cents per phone. This is used to buy fuel for the generator. We have also planned to have a concert once a session.
SUCCESS
Our school's roll has increased from 314 to 374 pupils. Implementation of this computer projects has reduced the rate of absenteeism. It has also improved the learners behavior as they now compete to score points about good things they do at school so they can take laptop home. Pupils are excited and motivated. They are grasping very quickly. Some community members have also shown interest in learning. We are trying to fix a plan to accommodate them in the computer reaching learning programme.
THANKS
My school gives great thanks to the people and companies that have been so instrumental from the planning up to the launching of this project.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
FW: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
The following is an email conversation I'm having with a representative of a foundation funding our project which wishes to remain anonymous. The emails are about possible grant-writing training for the teachers at Nohana Primary School. Right now, we're looking into bringing a trainer to Lesotho so more people can participate in the training. The foundation rep is interested in having principals at schools in the Mt. Moorosi/Quthing area take the training as well and might be able to help with funding for the training.
This is all in the early stages of planning. I just wanted to give you a heads-up of what we're working on.
Janissa
From: Janissa
Sent: 28 March 2011 05:57 PM
To: foundation rep
Subject: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
To: foundation rep
Subject: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Hi Cecily,
I have a quick question for you. We've gotten a grant from the Maseru Rotary Club for M10,000, and the teachers have decided they want to use at least part of it to send two of them to a seminar in grant-writing training. Do you know any place in South Africa where they could get this kind of training? I've heard of a woman in Durban who does this, but I've lost her contact information. Appreciate any help you can give me on this.
All my best,
Janissa
Janissa Balcomb, President
Laptops to Lesotho
From: foundation
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 12:05 AM
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Dear Janissa
I will ask around but wonder if your best bet wouldn’t be to get someone to come to Lesotho so that this workshop can benefit more people.
Personally I have found that projects go to grant writing seminars etc and get all excited but it doesn’t produce much. It is – as you know – a long, patient time consuming slog which requires lots of follow up, nurturing and top class communication skills. Too often people think if they write a few letters they’ll get money and when they get the first batch of rejections they lose hope. Far better to create a supportive team of people in situ than to expend time and energy on one or two.
Anyway, I will get back to you.
Meantime I am off to Lesotho tomorrow – meeting principals in Quthing/Mount Moorosi area. Do you have any idea yet of your dates for a possible next visit?
Best wishes
From: Janissa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:09 PM
To: foundation
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:09 PM
To: foundation
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Hi Cecily,
That's a good point. I'll look into having the training at Ketane. We do plan to offer continued long-term support as they learn how to write grants. Delia has some experience and has offered to help. And our treasurer, Andrew Dernovsek, who is currently in graduate school, has taken two courses in grant-writing and fundraising. He speaks fluent Sesotho and talks to Matlabe on the phone fairly regularly, so he'll be able to offer lots of support.
I am planning to be in Lesotho in November and December again. We've decided to do another intensive computer training course for the teachers in the 2-3 weeks after school ends.
After that, I will be going with my aunt to Mozambique to visit my uncle's family, probably the week before Christmas. I would like to visit the teachers at the eSibonisweni school then, if possible, but don't know about the logistics. You've lived in that area, haven't you? Do you have any advice?
Thanks for your help!
Janissa
From: foundation
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 2:15 AM
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 2:15 AM
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
this is probably the best known training agency for grant making. They have a pretty good reputation but I don’t know what their costs are. I am also checking Durban contacts.
It might be an idea to look at hosting a Grant writing workshop in Lesotho (closer to Ketane – we use Orange River Hotel in Quthing for a lot of our meetings) and, if so, I have a few folk I’d like to send along as well and could consider contributing to the costs.
From: Janissa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:21 PM
To: 'foundation'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:21 PM
To: 'foundation'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
"The more, the merrier." That would be FANTASTIC!
From: foundation
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 2:23 AM
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 2:23 AM
To: 'Janissa'
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
bombarding you now! This is also a useful link but don’t send your folk to this course in May – it’s for professional fund raisers with solid experience already. What may be useful is the list of people registered with SAIF. I do know of Di Milford in Pietermaritzburg and she may be one person to contact and see is she’s willing/able to help. I could liaise with her on your behalf if you do decide you want to get someone to come to Lesotho instead.
Alternatively if you want her to set up something for your people in PMB you can deal directly with her.
Hold off until I find out more about the Durban service providers as well so you have as wide a choice as possible. I am also getting recommendations from local NGOs who have used consultants themselves. It can be a jolly expensive business.
From: Janissa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:21 PM
To: foundation
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
Sent: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 1:21 PM
To: foundation
Subject: RE: question about grant-writing training in South Africa
If you are willing to contact Di Milford to see if she would be willing to go to Lesotho for training, that would be wonderful. I will hold off contacting anyone until I hear back from you.
If it would be easier for her, or other trainers, to travel to Maseru, we could hold it there. It's just as easy for our teachers to travel to Quthing as Maseru.
We do have R10,000 from the Maseru Rotary Club we can use for the training.
Reply to Breaking News!
Dear 1-3rd grades,
Pueblo, COLORADO
Let him back! (command) I need him here on the 3rd April. Or else I'll be in the USA for him ASAP.
R.B.Kaphe
Principal
Nohana Secondary School
Pueblo, COLORADO
Let him back! (command) I need him here on the 3rd April. Or else I'll be in the USA for him ASAP.
R.B.Kaphe
Principal
Nohana Secondary School
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ketane Solar Power System Update
From: Ivan Yaholnitsky
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 9:49 PM
To: Janissa
Subject: Ketane System
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 9:49 PM
To: Janissa
Subject: Ketane System
Hi Janissa
Our supplier sold out his deep cycle batteries and we are waiting for fresh
supply. I will be getting all your stuff in a couple of weeks, and then
going to Ketane for the installation. Are you around? Who is responsible
there and what are their contact details. With Easter, we will probably do
the installation after Easter. Sorry for the delay. Ivan
_______________________________________________________
-----Original Message-----
From: Janissa
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 10:24 PM
To: 'Ivan Yaholnitsky'
Subject: RE: Ketane System
Hi Ivan,
That sounds fine. I won't be there. The best contact in Ketane is Matlabe
Teba, the principal. He's in the States right now but will be back in
Ketane in a week or so. If he's not available, talk to Delia Helie. She's
a Peace Corps Volunteer who lives next to the school.
Janissa
BREAKING NEWS ! Lesotho school principal Matlabe Teba will not be returning to Africa.
From: Jack Wilson
Sent: Monday, March 28, 2011 12:52 PM
BREAKING NEWS! Lesotho school principal Matlabe Teba has been captured and is being held by more than 100 1st-3rd grade students and their teachers at Columbian elementary school in Pueblo, Colorado. The captors are refusing to release him to Dr. Jack Wilson of FIPE, declaring that they are unwilling to relinquish such a treasure in their midst. One of the teacher/hosts, Mrs. Kathy Plath, took it upon herself to reschedule an appointment Wilson had made for Matlabe for a pro-bono dental examination and prophylactic cleaning so his time at the school would not be interrupted. Mrs. Plath, who once lived in Lesotho, intends to sequester the African teacher/administrator in her home and accompany him tomorrow to Pueblo's new International Magnet School. FIPE officials in the area are negotiating to secure Mr. Teba's release at least temporarily so he can keep his appointment to address the Pueblo Kiwanis Club on Wednesday. Further developments will be announced as they occur.
--
Jack
W.Jackson Wilson,R.Ed.D.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Minutes of Laptops to Lesotho Annual Meeting of the Board, March 2011
LAPTOPS TO LESOTHO
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 19, 2011
A meeting of the Board of Directors of Laptops to Lesotho was held on March 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time via conference call.
Board Members Present:
Janissa Balcomb, President
Andrew Dernovsek, Treasurer
Sarah Gardner, Secretary
Call to Order
Janissa Balcomb called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM Eastern Standard Time and Sarah Gardner recorded the minutes. All board members were present.
CEO Report
Janissa Balcomb welcomed everyone to the meeting and shared her vision of the ideal situation at Nohana Primary School. Laptops to Lesotho would like to provide both basic learning skills (critical thinking, problem solving, etc) and marketable job skills (computer skills, basic accounting, etc) to the students at Nohana Primary School by incorporating laptops into curriculum. Younger students (grades 1-3) can learn on XO laptops with a ratio of 3 students to 1 computer while intermediate students (grades 4 -5) can learn on XO laptops with a ratio of 2 students to 1 computer. 6th grade students will transition to XO laptops with an operating system that mimics Windows. 7th grade students will work at a school computer lab of PC/Mac laptops, both with a ratio of 1 student to 1 computer. The estimated cost of this vision is $45,000 to pay for necessary computers, shipping, and power. Janissa also discussed the possibility of partnering with SchoolNet-Camara, Lesotho for teacher training and lesson development, expansion possibilities, the use of cell phone technology, and partnering with a university to study the measurable effects of our program. A report from the principal at Nohana Primary School shows enrollment has gone from 314 students to 370 students, attendance has improved, student behavior has improved, and English and Math skills of students have improved.
Treasurer Report
Andrew Dernovsek will be submitting a 990-N form for this fiscal year and coming out with a report of our budget and expenses. He and Janissa also reviewed the funds we have received and what we have left to spend. We have $800 from Friends of Lesotho grant earmarked for internet (not nearly enough to cover internet expenses), $100 from FIPE grant earmarked for printer (repairs were made for less), $100 from FIPE leftover from Matlabe’s professional exchange, $7500 from an anonymous foundation earmarked for computers and solar power, $1500 from Maseru Rotary Club earmarked for training or expansion, $2700 pledged from Bloom Africa (not yet received, earmarked for laptops, shipping, and power), $1500 in public donations from December (unallocated), and $1500-2000 expected from a church in New York (unallocated). We have enough funds to build a solar power system for 100 XO laptops, 25 more XO laptops, and cover half the cost of sending two volunteers to deploy additional laptops.
Financial Planning
Board members discussed whether our focus for fundraising should be on teacher training and curriculum development, more XO laptops, or setting up internet access.
Approval of Use of Maseru Grant Funds
Board members unanimously agreed Maseru Rotary Club grant funds will be used to send two teachers from Nohana Primary School to a grant writing workshop. The teachers of Nohana Primary School voted on this as their top need. If there is extra money or if the grant writing workshop is not possible, it will be used for lesson plan training.
Approval of Pueblo West Partnership
Board members unanimously agreed to pursue a partnership with Pueblo West High School. We will not be able to accept the 50 desktops they have offered because shipping costs would be exorbitant. At present Laptops to Lesotho can only take 45 of the thousands of laptops they may donate. A student group at Pueblo West High School expressed their desire to donate funds they will generate from a “Fun Walk” on April 23rd to the computer project at Nohana Primary School. Other additional partnerships and information exchanges will be explored.
Approval of Funding Priorities
Board members unanimously agreed that a portion of undesignated donations should be set aside for transportation and power costs and we should focus grant writing efforts on teacher training and curriculum development. Board members also unanimously agreed that internet is a low priority at this time because the costs outweigh the benefits, but we will continue investigating alternative ways to provide internet access.
Adjournment
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 11:02 AM Eastern Standard Time.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Gardner, Recording Secretary
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
