Where do we even start?
Our computer lab at Dekpor Basic School had dwindled down to 5 barely-functioning workstations that would randomly shut down. Clearly it was far from ideal and needed attention. This is where things get exciting because incredible people have helped us better our computer lab in a BIG way!
We are so completely overjoyed that our friends from Austria jumped in to help!
With fundraising by BRG Klosterneuburg, led by Mr. Markus Gruber, the school raised 2738 euros-- the equivalent of $4445 CAD! The students were creative in their approach with four different initiatives: a physics project, a plant sale, Bikeline sponsorships, and then a bake sale held in November by Class 5e. Their goal was to help finance the raspis and other equipment that needed to be purchased in Austria to bring our computer lab back up to its former glory!
Philip Schaeffer, an Austrian friend who has been supporting our work for many years now, travelled to Dekpor in November with raspis and other necessary equipment. And then? He put his extensive talent to work! He stayed in Dekpor for 7 days and worked 'round the clock in the lab figuring out what was beyond repair, what needed replacing, fixing what could be repaired, upgrading, installing, networking, and more! He resumed his teaching hat and was patient beyond belief with our Dekpor youth who were available to assist. Some of our ICT grads, Chris, Godsway, Tity, and Richard, were there to help each day. Benjamin, one of our electricians, did the extensive wiring. Even Selorm and Dzigbordi helped as they could with things that didn't require technical knowledge. Philip personally covered more than $600 of the purchases made in Austria, too!
There had been plenty of rodent damage, despite precautions, so DSDO purchased a crazy amount of data cable and electrical cable, other electrical supplies, new monitors, and more. We hired one of our electrician grads to do all the wiring, and one of our carpenter grads to replace the windows and casings to keep out the dust. All of the tables needed to be stabilized with angle connectors, too.
We thank our friends in Ontario: Ross McKitrick and also Tony and Susan Anderson for covering the DSDO portion of this massive undertaking!
Now we have our lab back up and running with 38 workstations! THIRTY-EIGHT!!! We know that computer literacy is extremely important to give our Dekpor kids a chance at building themselves a future with a decent job.
This computer lab overhaul is a beautiful thing and we are so very grateful for all the people who enabled it!
