Update 20070829

Last Project:
Nicaragua

Objective:
To provide access to technology & educational resources as a means to create opportunities for youth in remote locations of third world countries.

Introduction:
            MIT students are renowned around the world for being community leaders.  It is my personal belief that one must also make a contribution to the communities that raised and nurture our creativity.  At this day in age, when educational resources such as MIT Open Courseware are widely available around the world, one only needs a computer to have access to that information.
El Real De La Cruz is a small village in Nicaragua, where I would go visit my great grandmother.  Over the last twenty years nothing has changed in the village, in terms of the academic progress.  The highest level of education in town is sixth grade, which does not adequately prepare students for the world outside of the village.  Young adults leaving the community get exploited when they move to the city.

Description:
            The goal of this project is to ship a total of ten complete computers to Nicaragua by IAP 2009.  The project is broken down in three phases: 1) acquisition/delivery, 2) teaching, and 3) providing educational resources.  The first phase, acquisition/delivery, is done primarily from MIT.  I will be gathering computers, and refurbishing them.  I’m currently in possession of five of the ten computers that I will be shipping.  I will be obtaining the other computers in the next six week period.  The computers will provide a confort level for students to work and access information.
            Phase two of the project consists of a three week teaching program.  I will be teaching the kids in town how to use the computers and set them up.  I will also those interested how to fix the computers, if they break down.  The teaching will be divided into lecture and lab format.  During the lectures they will learn the basics of a computer, and lab will serve to give them hands on experience.  Two of my cousins in Nicaragua will also be present to help with the teaching process.
            The third phase of the project consists of maintaining an open line of communication to provide continuous access to resources.  I will be gathering with the town to come up with viable ways to increase and maintain computer literacy.  I will also be leaving trained individuals to maintain the computers free of charge.  They will also serve to deliver new educational resources.

Acknowledgements:

• Prof. Jim Elliot
• Dean Julie Norman
• Sally Susnowitz
• Daniel Chapman
• Robert Schuman
• Andy Neely