Computers For Uroki

On our recent mission trip to Uswaa, Tanzania we took along with us 6 computers for Uroki Secondary School. The computers had been donated to Southwood's Sunday School and it was determined that they were no longer needed. The computers were Gateway brand and had windows XP on them. I updated windows, antivirus, installed Open Office (a free office suite) on them and I also installed Khan Academy (a set of free math and science tutorials).

Then we packed the computers into suitcases for the trip to Tanzania--six of us gave up one of our two checked bags to get the computers to Tanzania. Who really needs that much clothing, snacks, shoes, etc for 2 weeks away from home! I am happy to say that 5 of the 6 computers made the trip undamaged, one seems to have a bad power supply.

Uroki Secondary School has a computer lab, it consists of about 20 computers of mixed brands. All of the computers are donated and out of date, many of which work very poorly--slow and unreliable. After arriving, we got the new computers set up and operating.

Most of the teachers do not know much about a computer or what to do with them, education wise. On my last trip I took along a typing tutor program and installed it on all of the computers because the teachers and students were using "hunt and peck” instead of learning to touch type--a concept that they had never heard of!

I began to show the teachers what was on the new computers. I am extra excited about the Khan Academy tutorials because the students do poorly on math exams and I think that these tutorials, which cover everything from arithmetic to calculus, should help.

This is a very rewarding task, trying to bring them access to modern technology and teaching methods. These "new" computers will help as will our prayers to God above.

Jim Rector

Comments

[Joseph]

Its the fact that no one can deny that Southwood Lutheran has become a share holder in Uroki not only with IT but almost in everything,you are doing all these just because of the Love of Christ which is in You which always insists on Loving Our Neighbours.
May I express my Sincere gratitude thanks for every for everyone of YOU who have put and consider Uroki as part of you.I pray that may God bless you all. MWALIMU JOSEPH SIKON

[ALBERT SHUMA]

Thank you Mr JIM and the Southwood lutheran church for the computers.We are really grateful for the Gateway computers and the programs in them which we find very useful in the teaching and learning field.Be BLESSED.
ALBERT F SHUMA

[Richard]

Thank you Jim and the Southwood team, thank you also for your comments,I'm working with the new computers, they are real very good in terms of speed
The teachers are using them effectively,

the students also are enjoying them with the tutorial materials in them.

we pray that you always be blessed for your devoted heart of assitance (Richard)

[Invo Makyao]

Jim you have said it right.
You ( Jim ), the team of teachers that come here time to time together with all our brothers and sisters in southwood Lutheran church you have done a tremendous work that has changed the status of Uroki school in all spheres / aspects.

On behalf of my kinsmen here I want to express our heartfelt gratitude for your agape love and a sacrifice of resources you've been offering to us.

Jim, you might have not known that you're the one who introduced me into Sudoku for the first time even after completed my university studies. I remember asking you for tricks to solve it and you gave me. Today Sudoku is my favorite and I have it on papers, on my laptop, on my phone etc. I can't stop solving sudoku each day. I'm now at expert level and I've trained others including my own children. THANK YOU MY BROTHER.

May God strengthen this relationship between Southwood and Uroki School. ( Invo)

[Mark Mayer]

The tutorials sound like a great idea to help out the Uroki students. Let's hope they can have reliable power to operate the computers.