Lindsay's Africa Project: January 2006

....how's it all getting on?

Well now, I guess I should tell you what I've been at, seeing as one could wonder if he's doing anything!

Firstly another installment of Christmas:
A few days before Christmas, myself, Eric and Bryan decided to give some food out to those with none, so as to help celebrate Christmas, and put some food in the belly. Currently in Kenya there is a serious drought in the northern region. People and livestock are dying because there is no water, and thus no food produced. Strangely in the west of Kenya they have lots of food. But the government doesn't seem to have been able to organise food from there up to the north.
So we headed into the interior, driving from little village to village giving out food. People were amazed and very greatful. Here are some photos of the project. It was small, but then if everyone did a little small bit (and the government a big bit) all would have the same.

On Christmas eve, Eric did another run, this time with food donated by local people and businesses in Malindi. He arrived at one village, the day after someone had just died from hunger.

The biggest issue here I find is education, not just of schooling, like we might think, but of what is happening elsewhere. People are unaware of government actions in the big city, or of international activities on their behalf.

This is where I think Lindsay and his computers can come in. Currently we are putting computers in schools, which is giving kids the basic education in computer use etc. I am now going around with Encarta encyclopedia and installing this everywhere. Even with this basic (and outdated version) people are getting to see what others do in the world, their struggles and successes. So now I'm thinking it's time to expand this.
Currently I'm looking into setting up a computer training and resource centre, here in the town of Malindi.
The training centre is to give basic and high level skills in computing and the resource centre will be the tool for this educational plan. It will provide access for community based organisations and the general public, to computer resources, and the methods of getting information. Through the internet, and other media.
I'm also developing an offline update service. Where people go around to all computer using people offering software and other updates for computers which don't have internet access (which are most as internet is very expensive here).

Using all these methods, one hopes that there will be a better information flow, and thus perhaps make a few steps towards greater life sustainability and potential.

Lindsay

Warehouse needed

Right folks, it's begging time.

To keep the PCs for Africa project going on the Ireland side, and to be able to keep collecting old computers, we need a storage facility.
We've had a great storage unit in Microsoft for a year and then another with FAS in Swords for the past year. But these are unavailable now.
If anyone knows anyone and anywhere that can help us, please pass on details. Most important requirement is that we can access outside business hours, and that it don't cost nothing!!!! Oh and be close to Dublin.

Thanks so much for continued support and kind words!

Lindsay

Football

Here are a few photos of a football competition that The Kenya Fund (part of PCs for Africa and the Voluntary Computer Group) supports here in Malindi.

I had the challenging task of being the representitive VIP at the match, who's role included sitting in a comfortable chair, meeting and greeting players, and giving out trophies. Luckily I wasn't alone, Bryan was there to help and to take photos, and the Hopkinson family were also present. Bryan was so devoted to get these photos he also fractured his ankles in the process! Good work!

These photos are from the final, where the team from Gede won.
42 teams entered the local competition, Hilary sends over money, trophies and medals each year for prizes. Its been running for 3 years now, and clearly draws a crowd.