I guess this is the part where I tell you a little bit about myself. To begin, I'm fairly well traveled and spent my childhood and adulthood traveling the world and experiencing the wonders of foreign lands. I simply adore traveling and the challenges that arise from being dropped in an alien land.
For the past two years, I've taught at Hodges University in their ESL department and in their IT school as well. In case you were not aware, I am in New Zealand now and am a student again as I pursue my PhD at the University of Auckland. This is all thanks to the generosity of Rotary International who awarded me an Ambassadorial Scholarship to continue my studies. My research focuses on investigating the use of technology in marginalized areas/developing nations to alleviate poverty which is an extension of my work in Ghana. Below is some additional information about this project in case you are interested.
In 2010, I travelled to Whuti Ghana to setup a Library/Telecentre with the African Literacy Arts Development Association’s (ALAD) president and founder, Jim Lancaster. The original intent was not to include a Telecentre because of financial constraints. However, generous donations from my employer, Hodges University, and other project supporters allowed ALAD to incorporate a Telecentre into the library. Other project supporters have donated additional computers of various makes and models, but they were not sent because they were not uniform and would have presented additional maintenance challenges. Still, the computers were cannibalized for spare parts to repair the Whuti Telecentre computers if needed. Along with the computers and spare parts, ALAD brought 25,000 books donated by the world book bank project for distribution to libraries throughout Ghana.
The village of Whuti is located on the South East coast of Ghana. The vast majority of people in the area under the age of 40 speak English as this is the language of education in Ghana. However, the majority of the older population in the area speak only Ewe or French. This is because universal education is a relatively recent phenomenon in Ghana. This rural location was selected due to its relatively high population density and its lack of a public library. Currently, there are roughly 15,000 villagers in the local area that will be able to access this facility. However, it is anticipated an additional 5,000 patrons may visit as there is no facility of this nature in the surrounding area.
Upon our arrival, Jim and I met with the village council to explain and discuss the project and to elicit feedback from the community about their needs so as to adapt the library and Telecentre to the local context. Prior to our arrival, ALAD’s in country project coordinator Michael Sedohia let the community know that we would be seeking a librarian and Telecentre worker and that interviews would be held on the third day after our arrival. I selected and interviewed fifteen applicants. A battery of tests was administered to assess the technical knowledge and ability of applicants. Three candidates were shortlisted and after discussion with Jim Lancaster, one was eliminated. The other two applicants then began an intensive training and assessment trial period. During this phase, I educated them about computer fundamentals, the history of computing, networking, computer repair, and maintenance. This period lasted two weeks, after which Cephas was selected as he showed the most promise and his confirmation in this position was endorsed by the village council.
Currently the Telecentre is in use by children from the surrounding schools to supplement their educational curriculum as can be seen in the photo to the right. Currently, the Whuti Library/Telecentre is being funded by ALAD and there are funds to sustain operations into the foreseeable future. However, by 2014 ALAD’s goal is to have the Telecentre become a self-sustainable enterprise that is fully managed and directed by members from the local community. It is hoped that profits from the Telecentre can be used to offset the operational costs of the library. To aid in this effort, with ALAD’s guidance, the community submitted a successful petition for a small business development Peace Corps volunteer to be assigned to the community. The volunteer, Richard Kelman, has an office within the Whuti Library/Telecentre which he uses to coordinate his development efforts in the community. This project should help the villagers in achieving their personal goals and help to alleviate their poverty by increasing their life opportunities with the aid of this technological based endeavour.
To see a video of the Whuti Telecentre, please visit:
