My Home Town (MHT) and Computers 4 Africa (C4A) are working in Choma, Zambia to improve the livelihood of the poor in the community. The majority of the world is relying on computers and in Choma there is an opportunity to change circumstances in the hope of a better future. These two charities have recently donated to 6 schools- Njase Girls School, Choma Day High School, Chuunda High School, Choma Secondary School, Adastra Basic School, St Mulumba. The majority of these schools had only one computer, shared between all of the staff members. In some cases there was an ICT Suite, but the few computers were long outdated and no longer totally functional.
At Choma Secondary School, one of the few remaining non-high schools, there was only one computer, which was out of date. The teachers used to queue to use it for preparing lessons, tests and marking. A recent donation from My Home Town has helped incredibly. Each department now has their own computer and some students are able to use them to aid their work. However, there is still a need. They have only one connection to the internet and there are still not enough computers for every student to have some access. Choma Secondary School’s teachers want the students to see the computers a resource that will equip them and “advance their learning”.
St. Mulumba is a specialist school for children who are hearing and visually impaired or have learning disabilities. They were given a donation of computers about seven years ago which are now in very poor condition. MHT has helped their situation remarkably. There is now a braile printer and computer, meaning that the blind pupils are able to read and the staff don’t have to travel a long way to get resources for them anymore. Updated computers have simplified work for the staff but they are still in need, with only a few computers shared between many students.
These schools have moved a step forward in their learning. Their technical abilities have greatly increased and with these skills they will have a better chance at getting a good job, earning a better, fairer wage and changing the lives of their families.
