Summary of project status and achievements:
After adding an extra six-week computer course in October to meet the demand in the Kala community, the program ended on November 20th with 31 proud students receiving certificates. Although the weather had forced the Computer Centre to frequently rely on the generator for power in October, providing the KCCTC with six Tough Books from Mwange which have much longer battery life alleviated much of this issue and the generator was only needed once during November.
Both Nswima of the CDRC and library, as well as Kyapi worked in the KCCTC as voluntary assistants to help facilitate the rapid pace of the course and were much appreciated by coordinator Augustin.
The computer class held in Kawambwa for UNHCR auxiliary staff finished in mid-November and a graduation ceremony was held on Thursday, November 26th where 22 students were honored with certificates, refreshments, congratulations from the FORGE staff involved, as well as the Head of Sub-Office, who implored the students to apply for positions in UNHCR where they could utilize their new professional skills. Pictures of the event and a UNHCR report was sent to the country office to highlight FORGE's commitment to giving back to the local community.
Indicators or Statistics:
See November spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
N/A
Substantial Problems or issues:
None.
Wishes and Requests:
None.
By Sara WasserteilSummary of project status and achievements:
After receiving many requests to add a final computer course before FORGE exited Kala, Sara brought the matter to the remaining members of the phaseout committee to decide if extending the computer program would be a good way to contribute FORGE's surplus resources to the community. Although the committee approved the idea with enthusiasm, they did not attend the meeting or rescheduled meeting in which details of the money allotment would be defined. Because there was not enough time to put off the start of the course (and the committee had already approved its commencement), Sara and KCCTC Coordinator Augustin created a program together that would give the opportunity for 50 out of the interested 56 to learn the Windows Operating System, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel in two afternoon classes. Because most of those interested were students who attended classes in the mornings, it was decided that an afternoon-only schedule made the most sense, and in addition, it would allow the KCCTC to conserve power in the morning, as rains had frequently prevented the solar power supply from lasting the whole day. Classes began on October 12th and celebrated good attendance overall.
The exhaust pipe on the generator broke at the end of the month which required repair from Kawambwa. Instead of fixing the generator, as there were fears that the trip to Kawambwa could damage the generator even more, six Toughbooks from Mwange substituted the KCCTC laptops that did not have working batteries, with the hope that all laptops could charge in the mornings and run off of batteries if power cut in the afternoons. In the final days of the month, this seemed to work very well and saved the program a lot of money budgeted for petrol.
To prevent the Toughbooks from becoming infected with viruses, a strict provision was made that in order for the KCCTC to use them, students could not insert flash drives or any other external devices.
Indicators or Statistics:
See October spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
To finish all of the course material by November 21st.
Substantial Problems or issues:
Although a second 500W inverter was brought from Mwange which greatly increased the power consistency, there is still one 500W inverter which has faulty parts. After an electrician looked at it early in the month, it was determined that it was just a matter of replacing four transistors; however, reliable transistors are not available in Kala or Kawambwa. Because the repairman (who fixed one but did not effectively fix the second) has been reported to be in Lusaka, and has not demonstrated trustworthiness, he does not seem to be a dependable option. Because the cost of fixing the inverter should cost between K80,000 – K100,000, Nick and Sara discussed the possibility of trying to sell it in its current condition at a comparable discount to the repair costs.
Wishes and Requests:
None.
By Sara WasserteilSummary of project status and achievements:
Computer classes went well overall with no significant successes or problems throughout the month. Because many of the students from the morning class were also students in secondary school, most of those students transferred into the afternoon computer class to accommodate to their school schedule. Otherwise, there continued to be some dropouts as some students repatriated during the month. Those who did were provided with a certificate reflecting the topics they covered.
Indicators or Statistics:
See September spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
To begin a new, short intake during October for people who are still interested in learning computers.
Substantial Problems or issues:
Wishes and Requests:
A stable power supply.
By Sara WasserteilSummary of project status and achievements:
With no word from Christophe, who was last seen in Kala on July 11th, Augustine T signed on as the new Computer Centre Coordinator on August 6th. For the first half of the month, Augustine (the PM Assistant) taught two classes while the incoming coordinator taught one, and on August 17th Augustine T took on all classes and a 40 hour/week schedule. Sara sat in on his classes and was impressed with his knowledge of the material and teaching style.
Throughout most of the month, the Computer Centre relied on the generator for power since the broken inverter rendered the solar power system nonfunctional. Although Nick brought a refurbished inverter from Lusaka, it was also broken, leaving the project to pay nearly ZMK 100,000 per week for fuel to stay powered. In mid-August, a refugee was found who was able to fix the inverter, and on August 19th the solar system resumed power with one 500W inverter and the second in repair. Due to the high cost of fuel and generator maintenance, the inverter repair (ZMK 235,000) was paid for with surplus funds.
In early August a former KCCTC student came to see Sara about four computer mice he had lent FORGE that he wanted returned. Upon investigating this, she found that two were working and two were not. Additionally, the laptops using the two working mice could not function without them since their touch pads were no longer working. Through a series of discussions, FORGE finally bought the two mice from the man since they would be needed in Moba anyway. The two broken mice were replaced with newer ones that Sara found in the Kala house but that were not compatible with KCCTC laptops due to the connection type.
On August 24th, Sara received a letter from Christophe stating that he did not mean to resign, but had been having intestinal problems so had not been able to return to Kala. She wrote him wishing him well and explained that regardless of his intentions, such a long absence without communication had forced FORGE to hire a new Computer Centre coordinator. However, if he was able to return with a doctor's note, she would be happy to provide him with a letter of recommendation.
Lastly, at the end of August, new KCCTC Coordinator Augustine requested permission to go to Lusaka to be with his brother while he underwent major head surgery. To help out, Augustine (the former PM Assistant), volunteered to teach his classes despite being on leave. The coordinator planned to return the first week of September.
Indicators or Statistics:
See August spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
To finish the class by the end of September.
Substantial Problems or issues:
After the first inverter was returned, the power still ran low in the afternoons due to the amount of electronics plugged into it. This should be resolved once the second inverter is working; however, if the repair of the second inverter is delayed much longer, it may affect the schedule of the program.
Wishes and Requests:
None.
By Sara WasserteilSummary of project status and achievements:
At the start of the month, Computer Centre Coordinator Christophe told FORGE staff that he would be repatriating in July rather than September. Because classes were set to go through September when he had initially planned to repatriate, he began training one of his students to take over upon his departure. It was decided that once Christophe repatriated, the new employee would take two classes while PM Assistant Augustine would take the remaining two.
Over the weekend of July 11th, the PMs were informed that Christophe had left suddenly to attend a funeral, so Augustine and the person Christophe had been training took over his classes. After one week, Christophe still had not returned and the PMs were told that he was having a medical problem and in need of an operation. Although Stephanie sent him an SMS informing him that the PMs would need a medical note corroborating his claim, suspicions were high that the story was fabricated and he was in Congo. By the end of the month he still had not returned nor had he contacted the PMs directly.
During the time of Christophe's absence, Augustine and the Computer Centre trainee, Augustine T, continued teaching his classes. Attendance and enthusiasm were high, but classes were condensed from four classes per week to three – one Swahili and two French. Although the trainee was not in Kala for the last few days of the month, he will sign a contract upon his return.
Lastly, on July 31st the inverter on the solar power system stopped working, rendering the power supply unusable. The generator was used as a temporary fix and a replacement is expected from Lusaka in early August.
Indicators or Statistics:
See July spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
None.
Substantial Problems or issues:
The coordinator has missed three weeks of work and has not been in touch with PMs. The inverter is broken so the Computer Centre is relying on the generator for power, and one of the Computer Centre's laptops has stopped working.
Wishes and Requests:
Fix the solar power inverter as soon as possible.
By Sara WasserteilSummary of project status and achievements:
A new round of computer class intakes began in June. There are now four classes, three French and one Swahili, which will be completed in three months. These classes will be the final intakes for the Kala Computer Centre, as Christophe plans to repatriate in September and there will not be sufficient time to complete another intake before closure in December. There are many secondary school students enrolled in these classes, and this demographic is very enthusiastic, committed, and has a comparatively free schedule. Their attendace has so far been good.
Indicators or Statistics:
See June spreadsheet.
Future Goals:
To successfully teach all relevant topics to students under the new short schedule.
Substantial Problems or issues:
None.
Wishes and Requests:
None.
By Stephanie Puccetti
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