Laptops for Students in Rural Ghana

Laptops for Students in Rural Ghana

Hello! I'm Christina (Pekrul) Randazzo, a volunteer with Ghanaian registered NGO Friends of Adaklu (FOA) and I appreciate you taking a moment to read my story.

Video Link: Ghana Joy News Coding Program in Adaklu Ghana

Meeting Stella

Five years ago, while volunteering with the African Library Project for a project in the Adaklu district in the Volta Region of Ghana, I crossed paths with an extraordinary woman, Madam Stella Kudah, the hardworking headmistress of Goefe D.A. Junior High School and the FOA Director for Ghana. Getting to know Stella was an eye-opening experience for me. (Stella is pictured above in the yellow dress receiving book donations for the school library).

Stella shared with me that despite the resilience, warmth, and hospitality of the people of the Adaklu district, they face numerous challenges, including limited access to clean drinking water, dirt roads, and unfavorable soil conditions. Employment opportunities are scarce, and families rely on subsistence farming for their livelihoods.

Click on link to see drone video (Thanks to Fredrick Heath): Drone Video Adaklu

As I grew more acquainted with Stella and her students, I began to understand the limited opportunities these students face. Most are destined to continue the tradition of subsistence farming, thereby perpetuating the cycle of poverty. With this understanding, I became interested in working with Stella to explore alternative opportunities for these students.

Pen Pal Program

In 2021, through a joint effort between Stella's school, Goefe D.A. Junior High School, and the amazing Ms. Ilene at The Academy in Berkeley, California we launched a pen pal program that forged a meaningful connection between the two schools. We are currently in the third year of the program.

(Pictured above are students happily holding letters from their pen pals in California).

The Beginning of the Computer Program

About 7 months ago, with a generous donation from The Academy

we purchased a few laptops and with the help of the talented and patient instructor, Teacher Mo (Mounir Shita) we started a computer club. (Pictured above are high school students being interviewed by Stella to join the club).

Click link to view Video: Link to Video of first time on Zoom

Click link to view Video: Link to the first 8 coding students

In July 2023, our amazing instructor, Teacher Mo initiated weekly online classes for eight students who had never before used a computer. He introduced them to the fundamentals of coding through Snap!, enabling them to create games such as Pong, explore the world using Google Earth, and most recently, showed them how to use Chat GPT and Java Script. Despite the initial challenges posed by their limited computer experience, the students showed incredible determination and effort, leading to significant progress. (Pictured above are students participating in an online class with Teacher Mo. Click the link below to see the coding class).

Link to Video of Teacher Mo leading a coding class

The club presently has 15 dedicated members, and although there is substantial interest from students at nearby schools, the laptop resources are very limited. Currently, we possess only seven computers which includes the six donated laptops and Stella's laptop. As a result, most of the students in the club can only participate as spectators during the lessons. (Above is a picture of Sebastian diligently taking notes on coding, as he lacks access to a computer).

Video: Link to Student Preparing for Virtual Exchange

Additional Benefits of the Laptops - United Planet Virtual Exchange

Thanks to the donated laptops, some students have been able to participate in a virtual classroom exchange facilitated by United Planet. This program has connected Adaklu students with Ms. Larson's class at Eastern Middle School, in Indiana, fostering cultural and lifestyle exchanges, goal setting, and discussions on communal challenges.

Given that most students from Adaklu have not ventured beyond their community, this opportunity has broadened their horizons, enabling them to forge new friendships and gain insights into different ways of life. Securing additional laptops would enable more students to benefit from this enriching experience. (Pictured above are students preparing for the virtual exchange).

Additional Benefits of the Laptops - Girls Who Code Virtual Summer Program

Also, due to the laptops, coding students, Isabella Teikpah and Enyonam Awudi (pictured above) have applied to the Girls Who Code Virtual Summer Program. If accepted, this program will allow them to "gain computer skills they need to make an impact and prepare for tech jobs...while building a supportive community of sisterhood". Having more laptops will allow more students to have these types of opportunities.

Video Link: Video of Bismark Mortor sharing wish for laptops

Through this fundraiser, I aim to acquire at least two additional laptops, secure funding for a local computer instructor to teach basic computer skills, and cover some of the costs of internet services. This will enable a greater number of students to actively engage in these invaluable educational programs. Should there be enough support to procure more laptops, I will happily expand our fundraising goal. (Above is a link to a video of Bismark Mortor sharing his dream for more laptops. Stella is on the right).

All contributions will be directly transferred to Friends of Adaklu, where laptops and the necessary accessories will be purchased locally from H-Net Computers in Ho, Ghana, the trusted source from where our current laptops were obtained. This initiative not only supports the students' education but also contributes to the local economy.

Estimated Costs:

$1,165 (2 laptops with Windows & MS Office 2019 - See below)

$270 (accessories for the laptops: headphones, mouse, antivirus & computer bags etc)

$1300 (local computer instructor to teach basic computer skills for 1 year students)

$600 (internet fees)

$200 extra fees (GoFundMe etc)

GOAL: $3,535

DONATIONS OF ANY AMOUNT ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

$10 will buy a mouse

$13 will buy 1 hour of computer instruction for a class by a local instructor

$25 will buy headphones

$547 will buy 1 laptop

Thank you for considering my fundraiser. More pictures and information about Friends of Adaklu can be found here: Friends of Adaklu