Today, without exception, we live in a technological age. We live in a world where computers offer instant access to knowledge, communication, culture, and skill building opportunities. We live in a time where a person can go to school, tend to their finances, talk with friends, apply to jobs and so much more - all with the click of a mouse. Perhaps most important to acknowledge, we live in a world where those who possess computer skills soar in their personal and professional lives and those without often get left behind.
Sadly, for the vast majority of girls in Africa, computers remain just out of reach. It’s common knowledge that computer use opens up a world of knowledge and opportunity, but few girls ever even see one in their lifetime, let alone learn how to use one. While great strides are being made to ensure that girls in Africa’s developing nations attend school, not a lot of progress has been made to bridge the gender gap in technology. A shortage of computers, low school attendance rates for girls and cultural norms that favor boy students over girls students – especially when it comes to highly coveted, underprovided items like computers- have all played a part in excluding girls from imperative computer training.
The Develop Africa team recognized early on that an educated girl is an empowered girl, but if an educated girl lacks computer skills, she remains at an extreme disadvantage. As part of our efforts to close the technology gap, we’ve partnered with the Freetown, Sierra Leone Branch of FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists) to install a fully equipped, multimedia computer lab. We have started providing computer training to the highest class and are gradually rolling this out to the other classes. The computers provide a full suite of educational software. Since the lab opened in May of 2011, we’ve received incredible feedback from our most important critics, the FAWE girls. As they come out of computer sessions beaming, confident and proud, and as they speak to their increased opportunities in life, its true testament to the importance of educating a girl for full participation in the computer age.
Despite huge successes among our computer trainees, the lab itself has had its share of setbacks. For instance we have 751 eager students, but exactly 15 fully functional computers. We have a fully equipped computer lab, but electricity is has been inconsistent in Sierra Leone, forcing us to shut down for extended periods of time. Fortunately, these problems can be fixed and the enthusiasm we see in the FAWE’s students as they come out of computer class is more than enough to prove we’re on the right track. Girls are beginning to recognize that, yes, they can and will participate in the world around them with the skill set needed to succeed. They are excited, and they are unstoppable!
Only 5 short months after opening our lab, we’re thrilled to have been sleeted as participants in the first annual Girl Effect Global Giving Challenge. If we can raise only $4,000 from 50 unique donors between October 15th and November 15th, we’re eligible for an entire year of support estimated to bring in at least $25,000 for our innovative computer training initiative. That money could provide around 3 YEARS of internet access! It could provide a year and a half of computer instruction and generator fuel to run the lab. Overall, it could provide countless girls with the opportunity they need to bridge the technology gap and move on to successful professional and personal lives. Needless to say, we’re excited.
To increase our chances of winning we’re asking supporters to follow our fun and easy D.A.P. fundraising model. Or check out our Girl Effect fundraising page, Empower Girls, Provide Computer Training to learn more or make a donation, and be sure to share share share this great opportunity as widely as possible. Additionally, you can check out our facebook page and website for updates on this exciting initiative. With your help, we’re looking forward to reporting on the progress our students make in the lab, in life and in the world around them!
