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Change the World, South Africa

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Change the World Trust Partners with Technology Companies to Launch Innovative I.T. Learning Centers in Rural Eastern Cape

Report on Project Implementation: 

Issued: 26 November 2013

 Introduction:  

On the 19th of October 2013 two special IT Training Centers in rural Eastern Cape, near Flagstaff, were officially launched.

While there was nothing particularly unique about the setup and equipment installed, the long-term design of the program and the diversity of impact is impressive. This is part of a 24 month engagement in which Change the World Trust (CTW), a NPO focused on developing youth with IT skills will be managing an innovative partnership with schools and community stakeholders.

 Broad-scale impact will be implemented through a patient and consistent approach in which CTW will manage the entire project and keep a fulltime trainer on-site for the next two years. This will enable an amazing variety of IT related skills to be transferred to students and teachers in the school as well as to community members and out-of-school youth through the nearby satellite classroom at the Holy Cross Parish.

An Innovative and Creative Approach to Information Technology Learning in Schools

 At the School students will benefit from an incredible opportunity to learn in-depth about not just the basics, but also the creative and technical side of Information Technology. Basic IT and MS Office skills will be followed up with Virtual Music and Digital Design Workshopsfor the creatively inclined, while those with technical skills will take part in PC Technician Short-Courses based on the IT Essentials course from Cisco Academy.

 Jonathan Novotny, Director and Founder of Change the World Trust, attributes the enormous impact of IT Training Centers to the unapologetic and long-term approach to social investment and youth transformation. “We’ve lost a number of funding opportunities because we weren’t willing to invest in the ‘Drop & Go’ type of philanthropy in which companies are more interested in the ‘Kodak Moment’ than the kids and youth who should be benefitting.” “The benefit of committing for the long-haul is that we get to see amazing changes and very fulfilling stories from youth who needed someone to guide them on the long-term and are now helping others to make their way in life.”

 

Developing Youth to Train Others

Another benefit to working on enduring social projects is that the trainers and staff that become part of the team get to grow, progress and receive training that is truly transformational. These young trainers become leaders and strengthen the core of South Africa through the values, skills and attitude they carry – Role models in their own right.

Details of the Branch

Jikindaba Set-up:

Jikindaba High School was chosen because it is the most centrally located high school in the region and will enable spin-offs and training for other schools. At the Jikindabasite,a renovation of walls, gates, security, windows and an installation of new doors was done.

Installation:

The main classroom was set up with 21 PCs, 14 desktops with 19” monitors and 7 laptops.  

Security, ventilation, a large projector and projector screen, water dispenser, instructor desk, storage facilities, white board, printers, copiers and a scanner were installed.

Holy Cross Parish Set-up:

The second classroom was set-up at the Holy Cross Parish approximately 8 kms away with a similar approach, installing 8 laptops and the full furniture required, with 10 desks, an instructor desk, cupboards, chairs, white board, and All-in-One Printer. The walls, ceiling and windows were painted and maintained, and skirting boards were added.

The Launch:

The final project proposal was approved and work on the implementation began on the 10th of October and finished in time for the launch which took place on the morning of the 19th of October 2013 at both sites. The centers were commissioned by the Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr. Bulelani G. Magwanishe and coincided with a “Show & Tell” Career Day event for the high schools in the area. Mr. Hansen and Mr. Maseko managed the implementation of the project and ensured a successful and outstanding delivery of the project on schedule.

The Impact is Now

Mr. Maseko, an IT Trainer with Change the World Trust was then immediately deployed and began training at both the primary and satellite sites the following week.

The long term goal is to recruit and train local trainers and school staff who can carry on the work and impact at High School and Parish on an ongoing basis.

The Training so Far:

As of November 2013, 40 High school students and 20 Educators are receiving training at the IT Lab in the school premises, while an additional 20 community members are receiving hands-on training at the Parish Learning Center.

Sponsors

Change the World Trust would like to thank TATA CONSULTING SERVICES (TCS) for the opportunity to partner on this project. Thanks to the TCS Team, not only for the financial sponsorship, but also for their vision, support, words of encouragement and partnership on this authentic corporate social investment (CSI).

 

A Special Thank You to RECTRON (Pty) Ltd for their generous and consistent support of Change the World IT Projects in the form of quality computer equipment since the first IT Training Center in Olievenhoutbosch in early 2009. This year, the Rectron Team approved, contributed and shipped 21 quality laptops in record time due to a desire to help when, and where, the need is. 

 

Project Photos

MEC and Absa cutting the ribbon.jpg

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