Kono District gets a boost through IT solutions in secondary schools with a donation valued at Le 450 million
Airtel SL, NATCOM, London Mining (SL) Limited and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank are teaming up with the Playhouse Foundation, a registered charity in Sierra Leone and Houston, Texas and Digital Links, an E-Learning NGO based in the U.K. to provide IT solutions in secondary schools in Kono District as from March 2011.
During the first phase of the project, 50 computers, 5 printers, 5 laptops for the teachers and other accessories, 5 digital projectors, 5 interactive digital screens, 5 camcorders and digital cameras, 50 headsets, 15 solar panels, 5 central servers, furniture, and a 5-year ICT learning software in Maths, Biology, Physics and Chemistry produced by Fusion Universal, one of the largest European software companies will be donated to 5 secondary schools in the following chiefdoms in Kono District: Koidu Girls Secondary School in Gbense Chiefdom, Ahmadiya Secondary School in Kamara Chiefdom, Yengema Secondary School in Jaima Nimikoro Chiefdom and Kono Model Academy in Tankoro Chiefdom. The funds have been directed towards the establishment of Millennium Computer Laboratories with state of the art digital equipment and accessories. The project will be extended to other chiefdoms in Kono District during the second phase. Internet connectivity at the Millennium Labs valued at over Le. 120 million will be provided by Airtel SL.
This strategic alliance also falls within the corporate social responsibility principles of Airtel SL, London Mining S.L. Limited, NATCOM and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank of supporting the youth and providing employment. NATCOM remains committed to rural ICTs and the Ministry of Information and Communication has put forward ICTs as one of its major initiatives.
The following benefits will result from this project:
- School going children will break the barrier to Information Technology through the introduction to the digital age – by having access to the worldwide web for information & research and e-learning, these school children will be at par with their counterparts all over the world.
- Linkages will be established through intra-net technology, with other school going children in Tanzania, where Airtel and Digital Links are implementing a similar project. Similar linkages will be established with other participating schools in other districts and in the United Kingdom through a sister school IT partnership that will be developed.
- School going children will be provided with computer training and other IT solutions that would make them competitive in the high skills job environment and prepare them for rewarding job opportunities.
Digital Links is a registered NGO in the U.K. which provides computing solutions for development under its trademark. Unique non-conventional PCs at an ultra low cost are made available in the school system.
The Playhouse Foundation is a charitable organization that was established in 2009 by Mr. Abu Deedee Koroma and Ms. Finda Koroma in memory of their parents, the Late Abu Aiah Koroma Esq. and his wife, the Late Danké Evelyn Koroma. The focus of the foundation is on education and the main beneficiaries are children, the youth and the disadvantaged section of the population in Sierra Leone.
The Co-directors of the Playhouse Foundation are grateful to the corporate sponsors of this project and; to H.E. President Ernest Bai Koroma and Dr. Kaifala Marah, Chief of Staff to the President for facilitating the implementation of the Millennium Computer Lab project. They would also like to thank Mr. Ted Sauti-Phiri, former Managing Director of Zain, Sierra Leone and Mr. David Keili, former Managing Director of London Mining (S.L.) Ltd. for supporting the Millennium Labs project in Kono from the onset.
By Finda Koroma
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