COMPUTER LAB
A New Computer Lab for Maranatha Mizigo
Dan Winter and Paul Lemieux returned to Maranatha in the summer of 2009 to set up a much-needed computer lab at Maranatha Mizigo. Here is Dan’s summary of their experience.
Our work begins with what turned out to be the most grueling task: shopping for network gear in Kampala. We brought the lighter items from the US, but needed some Uganda-spec equipment best bought in-country.
There is no Best Buy, but there is a “Technology Row” of confusingly similar shops on Kampala Road. Bargaining is spirited (we would say rude), but you can get what you need. Prices quoted Americans are hyper-inflated. Stanford grad student intern Rugaba “Ru” Kanani was invaluable here and throughout our trip!
The school had set aside the ideal room: perfect size at about 15’ x 20’ with electric power, adequate ventilation, and two large tables.
Previous attempts to introduce computers at the school were thwarted by the spiky and intermittent power typical of rural Uganda. Lightning strikes fried computers, chargers, and other gear. Our Kampala purchases included a heavy-duty voltage regulator (220AC in, 110AC out) and APU with additional surge protection and battery backup for the components that don't have batteries.
The computers, recent vintage Dell laptops, were donated by Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago. Special thanks are due partner Steve Patton for taking an interest in KidsUganda and making this project possible.
Laptops were a natural choice: they have built-in battery backup and keyboard dust protection - and they’re portable by design. We were able to get 15 units with chargers and other gear to Uganda without paying additional shipping costs. Thanks to the Anderson family of Lake Bluff for lugging six of them on their recent trip!
I confess it was kind of a tense moment when we plugged in and powered up the gear - followed by the happy sound of 13 laptops launching Windows. We giggled like little kids.
Uganda is leap-frogging - jumping right from the 19th to the 21st century - and there is tremendous demand for technical training and access to the Internet. Many (seems like all) Ugandans have email addresses, but few have regular access to a computer. This new computer lab complete with a computer instructor is opening up the world to the students, teachers, and staff of Maranatha and to the community of Mityana. (insert picture of kids at computers)
