Here are a few more items to illustrate the ICT club project, to supplement Charlotte's blog entry about this in December.
Firstly, the Chairaman's opening speech where he describes Charlotte's influence and impact, and Walewale's determination as a result that "we will not be left behind".
(This is low-resolution video for the web. If you would like a high-resolution 90-minute DVD of the main points of the ICT presentation, Jacobs Video in Walewale on 024 615 0217 or 020 828 6920 will be happy to sell you one. From outside Ghana, use country code +233 or contact us via a blog comment).
Secondly, on this next video clip Charlotte reminds us of the significance of giving equal chances to girls (in line with the Comic Relief/VSO project TENI, Tackling Education Needs Inclusively) - blog readers may remember the TENI conference back in late September. This is why the clubs started with 20 girls and 20 boys (and a greater proportion of the girls completed the course). She also thanks Mashood and Mark for giving their time so freely and with such commitment to make the ICT clubs happen.
There is a reference in this video clip to the BECE certificate - BECE is the Ghanaian school exam system, and ICT (Information & Communication Technology) is becoming a core subject, so the ICT club has come at a key time. Charlotte has just paid to print 400 registration forms for the next wave of ICT clubs - the idea is taking off in a big way, and those few computers at the Community Information Centre are going to see a great deal of use, so we're hoping that a proposal to put in many more computers gets a favourable hearing at the District Assembly.
School ICT illustrates differences in Ghana. In October Charlotte saw some excellent ICT books with CDs that had arrived in Walewale for all the schools to help the children learn ICT; but how could children use a CD in schools that have no computers and indeed no electricity? Hopefully some will now be able to benefit from ICT clubs at the Community Information Centre in Walewale. There is now a determination in Walewale that, as the children's song says (see the video in the December ICT club blog entry) "We must not be left behind".
Thirdly, here are a few of Charlotte's photos that were backed up on my laptop.... the children learning to browse the web, and what's that website that they're looking at?
And finally, for those who didn't believe the crocodiles were alive on the ICT club trip to Paga , watch this video. As the Bradt guide said, in commenting on the crocodiles at Paga, "I'd rather be a crocodile at Paga than a chicken".
And yes, if you've watched the video clip, the girls and boys were given equal chances, but more girl than boys made it to the end of the course, and to their ICT Trainer qualification so that they pass on their skills, and hence more girls than boys sat on a crocodile!_____________________________________________________
Footnote: You may have noticed a trend of a few videos being posted on the blog. I can post videos using broadband while back in the UK - not so easy in Ghana - so I'm taking the opportunity to put a few representative videos onto the blog. Expect still pictures only again from next week! Mike
Hi Charlie and Mike,
ReplyDeleteReally impressed with the work you are doing and the performance on the motor bike. So glad that Mike is back with you now and that your new lodger is a success.
Hope to hear from you soon. All is well at home and Mum is ok!