Life is not measured ....

Kenton 2007

April 2007 - extract from the December 2006 community paper, an update from the Kenton Community Computer Centre

First there were Computers, then an Internet Cafe, now a Container!

Masithethe Foundation spreading its wings to enable more individuals gain access
to basic computer skills, to support their school education and equip them for the future.
Following the success of the Kenton Community Computer Centre which was launched by the Masithethe Foundation on 17 March 2005, and has trained over 580 students and provides Internet Café facilities, a second computer centre is coming to life across the Bushmans River from Kenton.

This new chapter of our story started with a visit to Kenton, around Easter 2005, by Ben and Sharon Jenkins and their two young children from the UK. The Jenkins were staying in a B&B run by Mike and Marijke Kirby, and whilst the Kirby’s were babysitting, Erica McNulty from the local Tourism Office took Ben and Sharon around the townships which got them enthusiastic about doing something to help.

Ben was working for Research Machines PLC and decided to see if he could get some computer equipment for a worthwhile project. The Jenkins have since moved to New Zealand, but before leaving Research Machines PLC Ben managed to arrange for 3 laptops and 3 desktops to be shipped to the Eastern Cape.

At the time when the Kenton Computer Centre was taking shape under Errol Greer (Chairman of the Masithethe Foundation), Mike Kirby was concerned that the centre would not be accessible to the whole community, particularly those living across the Bushmans River from Kenton. He spoke to Errol and they came to an understanding that any expansion of teaching facilities logically should fall under the foundation’s aegis, but that they would try to find a way to position a facility within the neighbouring community. Errol would provide the technical oversight and MIke would get the day-to-day supervision organised.

Mike selected the Klipfontein Primary School as being an appropriate place for the new centre, as it is situated between the black and coloured communities of Bushmans’ River Mouth, and half of the learners come from each community. The school had also not received much in the way of attention from the broader population over the years and Mike had a good contact there by the name of Ronnie Jacobs, its principal, who is also a member of the Congregational Church that Mike is the minister of in Alexandria.

While the team were making plans Annette Brierley, also from the local Tourism Office, mentioned to Mike that Simon Avis of Nomad Freight in Johannesburg and she had been discussing ways in which he and his company could make a contribution to the area. Being a shipping man he raised the idea of using a container for some useful project. So the plan, as they say, came together!

Simon’s idea of a container was particularly attractive for the team’s purposes because the Klipfontein School is on hired premises and the container can be moved to a new location if necessary. Simon was prepared to fund half the cost, and Mike persuaded their very dear friends Bill and Nita Whitward from Holland to fund the other half.

Once again, from an initial donation of computers and a container, the local community has come togcthcr yet again to turn an idea into reality. The team is using local labour wherever possible, like George Kleinhans (cutting and welding), Henry Jacobs (carpentry, Bradley Millborrow (electrical), and Elize Millborrow (painting and decorating). Jan Wesselo, and Anton McLean (D&A Hardware) have helped in sourcing materials at reasonable costs. In addition, a German couple, the Merkels, have since provided additional computer equipment.

Work has started on the container and it will be wood and insulation lined, with windows for ventilation. It will consist of two areas, an office of 4m by 4.5m for Ronnie Jacobs the principal, where he can also keep equipment such as a photocopier, and a computer teaching area of 8m by 4.5m. Each section will be entered through a stable door protected by an outer metal door made from the metal cut out of the container. The container will be alarmed.

As Mike Kirby reflects on this project he shares his thoughts... “So, for me this has been heart-warming evidence of how people can show their practical care. Hopefully the children will be the main recipients, and will become skilled in something that may otherwise have eluded them for the whole of their lives - even in this day and age! Of course the school itself will have the advantage of entering the computer age at last.”

link back to Computers for Africa

posted by Sharon, Ben, Louise and Daniel @ 3:52 am