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| Dr. Ali Mahamud shows several female students how to use the AlphaSmart laptop. For many Kenyan students, the AlphaSmart laptop will be the first piece of technology they can actually use. Most have only seen photographs of computers in their books. |
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As you read this, the AlphaSmart laptops you donated in winter 2008 are being distributed to students in Kenya. In July, in preparation for their delivery, Dr. Ali Mahamud of the Generation for Change and Growth, our partner in distributing the laptops, visited schools in Kenya and gave teachers and students a preview of what was to come, as well as instruction how to use the laptops. Here’s an excerpt of some of his experiences:
It has been quite an experience for me to jump from one bus to another to go and talk to a few select schools. As I write to you, I am in Garissa now and have visited and spoke to students and staff in Garissa High School last evening. I have also been to Wajir and Mandera and talked to the entire student body and staff. There is a lot of excitement and anticipation for the 'Alpha-babies'. To quote one of the Garissa Tech teachers, “Computers for us are not going to be pictures in books anymore...we will have a real computer and everyone will have the experience of writing on a computer.”
The student leader also stated, '”We are making a landmark breakthrough by getting a break from the constant note writing with paper and pen. We want to use the keyboard ... I am truly elated."
Things here are a lot different than we are used to. Turnaround time, coordination, infrastructure…a lot of things that make our lives easier and are taken for granted in America are not here. So, we have to ‘dust our faces’ and move on to deliver. Very soon, our donors and all the stakeholders will have a big smile….
See more pictures taken by Dr. Mahamud by visiting
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