Connectivity 4 All
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Contents |
Background
The Eastern Cape is historically one of South Africa’s most impoverished regions and bordering the former Transkei homeland. The area is a mix of rural amaXhosa villages, peri-urban settlements and coastal towns. A striking feature is the disproportionate spread of wealth and access to opportunities that exists between the historically privileged white communities and non white communities – a strong reminder of the recent apartheid era under the National Party. Ill-equipped schools, lack of access to resources for communities and poor quality learning environments have led to low levels of literacy and for many, no exposure to ICT and the advantages of connectivity for personal and professional growth.
Action
The Friends of Chintsa aim to equip communities with a suitable IT infrastructure comprising of a server, networked computers, peripheral devices and internet access. It is hoped that when sufficient funds are available that a premises within the Chintsa East area can be secured to create an open access resource. Untill such times support will be made available to the computer labs already developed and supported by Volunteer Africa 32˚South (VA32).
For the Chintsa East community, the school already has a computer lab installed and supported by (VA32). In partnership with the school and VA32 the current lab has, as of April 2010, upgraded to an ADSL connection.
Through a highly focussed funding drive including the opportunities through GivenGain, the Friends of Chintsa in partnership with local development organisations and private sector business support will be aiming to establish a free community high end information and technology resource portal.
A business plan and funding proposal is currently at "work in progress" stage with Mikee Ford, a valuable Friend, putting in some long and focused hours to turn concept to reality.
In the meantime, during December 2009, funding was provided by Queens' and Clare Overseas Education Fund to purchase a mobile internet router as well as the purchase of a monthly bandwidth allowance. This hardware will be taken to each of the schools and adult class bring the resource of the internet in reach of many underprivilaged community members. Through developments in mid-2010, with ADSL installed in Chintsa, the free adult literacy classes and daily lessons for learners are set to enter a very exciting development stage.
A further connectivity 4 all project has affectionately been called the Big Green eMachine, coined as being the first 4x4 computer lab. It is designed to provide basic computer literacy skills to rural Wild Coast villages. April 2010 saw this project really come to life with over R 120 000 now being made available to the project. Big G is currently at the mechanics undergoing the first phase of her re-build.
Our Schools
The schools currently supported by Connectivity 4 All through VA32 are:
- Chintsa East Public School and Chintsa Adult Class
- Bulugha Farm School
- Ngxingxolo Primary School and Ngxingxolo Adult Class
- Silatcha Primary School
- Byletts High School
- Kwenxura High School
Cost Analysis
The costs for the project include:
- Electricity
- Internet service provider
- Administration/administrator
- Purchasing hardware
- Computer lab maintainance
Donations to this cause would help build the capacity of this initiative beyond the expectations of all community members. Donations can be made here... click here
Donations received
Huge gratitude to people who are supporting this initiative.
Jamie Foggon
Stefanus (found us on GivenGain)
Hannah Dixie - constant support from the UK to mobilise funders
Ed Bamford - taking on the challenge of riding across the UK as a fund raising effort
Jacqui Hogan and the Walk Talk Team for their huge contribution raised on their Leeds to London walk
Queens' and Clare Overseas Education Fund
Countesthorpe Community College for the proceeds from their exciting fundraising activities
Richard Bullock - for his enthusiasm and drive in really mobilising the Big Green initiative
