We Asked For Three And Got Five

Yesterday morning, we had the follow up meeting to our previous week's consultative meeting with community leaders, elders and members.

We had requested that the community give SDV the building it currently occupies for three years, rent free, as a contribution from the community to the project.

And instead they have given us five years!

We take this is a clear sign of strong support from the community for SDV. And we feel energised by all this and can now accelerate the plans we have for the longer term future of how SDV can grow and serve the community better.

Four members from the community were also elected during the meeting to serve on an advisory board, which will also contain SDV volunteers.

And, again, we didn't waste this opportunity to introduce a number of those present to the computers.

Shaking Things Up A Bit

A curious thing is happening at SDV.

Secondary school students who attend boarding schools in towns have been returning home for the holidays.

They turn up at SDV and look a little stunned as they watch their village counterparts, and primary school kids, comfortably working away at the laptops.

Any assumption of superiority is seriously challenged, at least for a little while, as they settle down next to an SDV-regular and learn how it is done.

Wet Earth And Bare Feet

The paths leading up to SDV are unpaved and after the rains turn a deep reddish orange. Lined with greenery - grass, trees and crops - it is picturesque, though a little tricky to navigate when wet.

Most people who visit us come bare-footed, especially the children.

And slowly the floors and the white-washed walls inside have been taking on the hue of the outside.

We sweep every morning, and lately we have some self-appointed volunteers eagerly helping us out. (The computers are covered until after the dust has settled.)

And after trying various ways to keep muddy hands and feet away from the walls, we eventually gave in, and bought paint - red-oxide was the colour of choice.

We just finished painting the critical areas yesterday, with a bit of help from some of the culprits to sand paper the walls.

A Meeting Like No Other

Some described it as one of the best and most constructive meeting they had ever attended.

We are yet to come back down to earth after what we experienced on Saturday.

The SDV volunteers mostly listened as others present made a case, sometimes passionately, for why the community should support SDV.

Their appreciation for what we are doing was humbling and touched us deeply.

The meeting ran close to three hours, and was conducted almost entirely in Lugisu. Just about everyone present, young and old, men and women (though mostly men), those who visit SDV regularly and those whom we welcomed for the first time, stood up to share their thoughts and suggestions. And what they shared was often personal and touching.

We will meet again next Saturday, after they have a chance to consult the community widely, and agree on some concrete steps forward. But, that should be mere formality, since we already know that we are here to work together with the community for a long time.

And as you can expect of us by now, we didn't miss the opportunity to introduce the new visitors to our laptops!

We will try to publish a follow up post with some translated quotes from the meeting.

Books from Belgium

There are hardly any books here, including text books. The only source of learning most students have are the notes they copy down at school.

In response to this, we started a humble library. We put out about fifteen books and magazines we had on a table and a hand-written note saying that anyone is welcome to read or borrow a book.

Thus started the first library in the area.

And this week, we received over forty books from friends in Belgium. The collection contains books related to computers, dictionaries, educational and story books for all age groups and magazines.

A very special thank you to Peter for sending the books. Peter has been there to encourage us and ask critical questions, even when SDV was little more than a figment of our imagination.

A big thank you to Astrid and Jo, for carrying the books from Belgium to Uganda. We hope your research trip here will be a great success and we are sure you'll enjoy your stay in Uganda.

Thank you also to Charles and Moses for picking up the books at the Entebbe airport after midnight (thanks to a delayed flight) and for Peter for dropping the books at the Brussels airport at seven in the morning!

Our First Meeting

We launched about two months ago and since then countless number of people have come through the SDV doors to have their first interaction with computers.

And now seems like a good time for us to have a formal meeting with the community leader and elders to discuss the project and its future.

We have sent a letter to around thirty members of the community inviting them to attend the meeting this Saturday morning. Here’s what the letter said:

On behalf of the donors, volunteers and students at SDV, we would like to thank the leaders and elders of the community for their support so far.

We have had a very positive experience here and we are committed to providing access to technology and training, to the entire community, in partnership with the community.

In order to better plan for the future, we would like to meet with you to listen to you, consult you and also answer any questions you might have about SDV or Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF).

We also hope to establish an understanding that will lay the foundation for how SDV will continue to operate and benefit the community.

We value your input and look forward to the discussion.

Signed, SDV Volunteers.

An Anonymous Note of Thanks

We recently discovered a document titled "Thanks" that was saved to one of the laptops. We don't know who the author is, but we appreciate the thoughts and would like to share some of it here also.

This is to pass a word of thanks and appreciation to the efforts of the Youth for Technology Foundation that came up with the SIRONKO DIGTAL VILLAGE that has helped us ... transform.

We are now in position to do a little bit of computer application, [but] we hope for more than that.

Thanks goes to all those who have put in a hand for the smooth running of the project and whoever is volunteering in the training and funding of SDV.

A Day At SDV

Each day at SDV is different to the previous and often it is hard to predict what the next day will bring.

We are also constantly evolving and there are incremental changes almost on a daily basis.

But, to give an idea of what a day at SDV might be like, here are some patterns that we have noticed.

Mornings

Mornings are quiet and peaceful. It is a good time for someone, including the volunteers, to get some alone time with a computer.

Up front, Derick, a student/volunteer, is training a teacher from one of the nearby schools. In the rear, Sam, a volunteer, is exploring an application. And in the middle, is Carol, a regular face at SDV. She is a dedicated student and has been learning at a fast pace. We are hoping to recruit her as a volunteer in the near future.

On weekend mornings, even the children enjoy exploring unhurried. (Our doors are open seven days a week.) The above picture was taken last Sunday morning, around ten.

Afternoons

By afternoon, the pace quickens considerably. Much knowledge sharing happens, between trainers and trainees, and also between trainees.

Here, Ben, an SDV student/volunteer, is lending a helping hand to two new students who are getting their first introduction to computers. (They are both nurses-in-training.)

And as children go home from school, they drop in at SDV. They gather in groups around a computer and take turns drawing, typing and teaching each other, as is happening in the background.

Evenings

By evening, the place is positively buzzing. On some evenings, we kick it up a notch, by throwing some entertainment in while the learning, exploring and sharing continues. We hook up the projector, the speaker and a laptop together and play mostly Ugandan music videos (Paul Kafeero is a clear favourite).

There can easily be over fifty people, young and old, spilling out the doors. It is during such hours that we feel that we have the coolest joint around.

Exceptions

There are of course many exceptions to these patterns.

Life at SDV is quite different when there is an extended electricity outage. We scale down our activities considerably - there is certainly no music or videos, but the self-learning and exploring is kept to a minimum also. We try to focus mainly on formal training. And on occassion we close our doors and go to the Friday market, for example.

In a couple of weeks, the schools are closing for vacation, and we are bracing ourselves for what might come our way.

Meet Aloysius

Mazaki Aloysius is one of the core volunteers based at SDV. He is involved with just about every aspect of running SDV, but primarily focuses on managing the training programs and coordinating volunteers and trainees.

He is 25 years old and is a graduate of Makarere University with a degree in Social Sciences.

Aloysius, tell us something about your family.

I am from a family of 6 siblings, and I am the second last born. Most exciting personality in my family is my mum:- she is the reason I’ve achieved some of the things I think I have, for example, education.

Why are you volunteering at SDV?

As a social scientist my profession is about serving people. Working with SDV has given me an opportunity not only to apply my education but a chance to gain experience in the field of Information Technology. Before I completed my first degree, I had always thought of how I was gonna apply what I was studying to benefit somebody out there - SDV is providing an avenue for me to achieve this dream.

What do you think about SDV?

SDV is a reality, I know what it's doing because am practically involved in almost all the programmes. If there is anything that any rural place could crave for in terms of technology, then it should be something similar to this. Within less than two months of its inception, you can already see the impact it has had on the community. I think SDV is a dream come true for a rural place like Buhugu.

What are some of the most enjoyable moments in your life?

Spending time together with rest of my family especially in festive season and spending time with genuine friends.

What kind of music do you like?

Ugandan music and American Rhythm and Blues.

Can you tell us about a challenge you face as a young, educated person in Uganda?

I realize that even after “finishing” school, I still have to depend on my parents (mum) and brothers for so many things (especially financially).

The prospect of furthering my education is not yet confirmed, although pending. Attaining a Masters degree in the field of Information Technology is my dream, as this would help widen my choices.

The job market is flooded with many first degree holders.

But, at the moment, am comfortable volunteering at SDV.

What else can you share about yourself?

I am a jolly person, outgoing, with a good sense of humour, polite but aggressive when things need to get done. My girlfriend says am handsome…ha ha. I believe she is very right.

"Meet Us" Series

A little while back, we brought you the post titled Meet Katy. It occurred to us, that it would be a good idea for the many people who are behind SDV to share something about themselves.

So, we are starting a "Meet Us" series, where regularly we will try to feature a volunteer. Please read the next post to find out more about Aloysius.