Project Details

Computer literacy matters in the digital age, and Better Africa Youth Initiative (BAYI) is determined to ensure that youths in the West African nation of The Gambia have the skills they need to compete in the global economy.  The youth development organization proposes to start a computer lab in a high school in the city of Serekunda, at which it will teach basic computer skills to high school seniors.  Presently, these teens lack even the most basic computer skills, putting them at a huge disadvantage when they venture into the job market or go to college.  BAYI plans to purchase 10 refurbished computers and to teach a daily course at the local high school.  Students will learn to type and to perform functions on commonly used applications, and will move on to more complex undertakings as their proficiency develops.  The school has agreed to allow BAYI to place computers in a presently un-used room, and to have a BAYI instructor teach the course for a year before turning over this duty to one of the school's teachers, who will shadow the BAYI volunteer during the first year to improve their own computer teaching skills.  The 10 computers and related equipment, including a generator to make sure the computers can run during frequent power outages, will cost just $2,700.  This relatively small sum will provide invaluable skills to high school seniors who are thirsty to learn but who do not have the resources to begin this important endeavor on their own.  Giving toward this important project is giving toward the future of The Gambia.  BAYI will purchase the computers and begin teaching the course within 2 months of this project being fully funded.  The 10 refurbished computers will be bought in the capital city, Banjul.  Computer classes will take place in the school every weekday during the academic year, while BAYI will hold weekly courses for students and for members of the general public during the summer.  BAYI will measure the success of the project by testing students at the beginning of the academic year and then regularly throughout to assess their progress in areas such as typing words per minute and general competency in basic computer functions.  BAYI may extend the program to other schools in the near future.     The $2,700 asked for in this project will be used in the followig way:   - 10 refurbished computers at $120 per computer = $1,200   - Electrical materials, such as surge protectors, and small fee for installation = $700   - Gas-powered generator = $800