The Peifer Computer Center Program

Anyone who has been in Africa for a while has that moment. You hit the steering wheel and just yell "Why?" Why does it have to BE this way?'

Most of those moments occur when I'm at a school. I know how much of a struggle it is for parents to afford to send their children to get an education. The issue is: what do they get for their money? The sad answer is that they don't get much. It isn't that the teachers, for the most part, aren't sincere and hardworking. But without resources like books and additional teachers (average class size is almost 60) it is unrealistic to have high expectations.

Many of the teachers are not well educated; some are parents who long for more for their children but never were educated themselves. I was talking to a teacher who scraped up the money to take a computer class at a college. After taking a class for the whole term, she still had not even SEEN a computer. She `learned' to type on a piece of cardboard. Oracle, the second largest software company in the world, was, at one time, almost 40% Indian.

What is interesting about that is that in ONE generation, India went from having exclusively rich and poor to the largest growing middle class in the world. Technology changed that country. And so what I want to try is rather outlandish considering the poor US economy and the infrastructure here.

I want to build a computer center at each school that we feed. Instead of constructing a building, we want to convert old metal shipping containers into classrooms. The cost is so much cheaper, and the buildings will be secure. Since only one of the schools has power, we will install solar panels on the roof. With a battery, inverter and a few items, we can get set up:

• Container: $1200.00
• Remodel: $3000.00  
• Solar Panels: $3000.00
• Batteries: $1000.00
• Inverter: $650.00
• Back up Generator $700.00
• Transport $400.00
• Construction fee: $530.00
• Total: $10990.00   

The problem with buying computers in this country is that they don't tend to synch the chips well, so we would probably buy refurbished Dell's. I can get Pentium 3's for about $200.00 each. We would begin with ten to twelve computers @ each school. Our software would begin with all Microsoft products: the Office Suite, Typing Tutor, Encarta and Magic School Bus. I'm hoping to be able to talk with someone from MS when I'm in the states to get a better idea of cost. I've trained two Kenyans on the packages because I think it is important that it isn't "big whitey" coming to the rescue. A wise friend of mine told me once that the solution needs to come from the people you are trying to help. I just want to help provide the tools.

Your Pal,

Steve

Goal: $11,000.00 to build new computer center.

The Solution Beacon Foundation (who also sponsors this site and it's maintenance) has generously offered to pay for 100% of the first computer center AS WELL AS for 50% of any future computer centers.  The SBF also provides a scholarship and a work study program for graduates of the Computer Center as part of the "Give Them a Way Out" program developed by Steve. All future Computer Centers will have the option of being named by the largest contributor (other than SB) to encourage the funding for the education required for the "Way Out".