More Computer Work

Hello there!
Currently in Nairobi checking on a few new applicants for computers, and checking on a centre I sent PCs to 2 years ago, when I was here last.
I'm staying in the lovely Love SHACK who are, as always looking after me very well!
It's all busy there, as the kids are back in school, and Karen the director, has just had her baby, Emily.

My parents have been and gone, hence radio silence for a while, as I was Chief Guide while they were over. We did lots, hit the beach, did our own safari and visited the Galana Ranch Project, visted Mombasa and traveled by the funny train to Nairobi. Go Michael Palin!

Also while the folks were in Malindi and we had rented a car, I used it to move a few computers around. I've been upgrading good secondary schools with the new batch of computers we have in stores, and then giving their older computers to low users like primary schools. This worked well, and has given all a new strength in their work and a drive to continue with the project.

Over the last few days I've been checking 2 new centres which have planned to create resource and training centres. Both are really great, and I hope we'll be able to help them out when our next consignment comes. Whenever that'll be! Hopefully by the end of this year. They are both in slums in Nairobi, and they would be new resouces that will help directly in their community projects and also be a new tool and information source for the idle mind.

The centre I went to visit today that recieved computers 2 years ago, unfortunately isn't too good. They say due to financal problems they have been unable to maintain the computers and set them up fully. So I've given them one month to make some progress or I'll have to be Mr Evil Lindsay again and threathen to take them away. But I'll also help them next time I come, as its really basic problems they have that wont take too much work. But it is no good to come in a fix all, as I wont always be here, and they must sustain themselves.

Plan for the next while is to continue sorting the schools in the Malindi area, I'll be doing another interior schools check at the end of the month when Hilary (the boss) is over.
Next big thing is an IT seminar I'm putting on in Malindi town. I'm putting this on with a friend I've made in Malindi who's involed in lots of community projects in the area. Our plan is to reach out to all in the community, schools (especially ones with computers), businesses and business people and the local community and government. We have talkers coming for schools businesses and the ministry of Education. It should be good, and the main goal is to introduce these magical things called computers which have been appearing for a while in the area. We'll then be discussing all the things that can be done with them. So if you have any suggestions please tell, or if you work in the IT field and reckon you could convince your company this would be a good conference to attend then come on over, we'll look after you!


Right! Back to Malindi!

Lindsay