Sensitisation Meetings

In quest to make the community/local leaders and school pupils aware of Tonga.Online programmes and to equip policymakers and other government officials with the essential knowledge they need to fully leverage opportunities presented by ICTs to achieve national development goals and bridge the digital divide, ten (10) sensitisation sessions (two sessions per meeting) for the Sianzyundu, Tyunga, Siabuwa, Mucheni, Manjolo communities were held in the period under review as detailed below.

• Sianzyundu, Sianzyundu Sec School, 20 July 2009
• Tyunga, Tyunga Sec School, 22 July 2009
• Nabusenga, Siabuwa High School, 23 July 2009
• Sinansengwe, Mucheni Primary School, 24 July 2009
• Sikalenge, Manjolo Primary School, 05 August 2009

Information on the objectives and activities of Tonga.Online was delivered to the participants. Other aspects dwelt on during the meetings were the types of Information and communication Technologies and their uses. Detailed presentation was also made on the various uses of the computers and software available on the market.

The expected outcomes of the sensitisation meetings were:

• Greater appreciation of the roles of Tonga.Online programmes and ICT in general
• Support of ITCs in schools by the communities
• Greater understand of different types of ICT hardware, software and their applications.
• Equal representation of gender in committees (Women in CMCs and holding decision making positions).
• Improved security of ITCs
• Revival of cultural activities in communities and schools

Linz 09 Community Feedback

A photo and video show of the Linz09 trip by Simonga-Maliko was held at Tyunga Secondary, Siabuwa High and Mucheni Primary and Sianzyundu Secondary Schools. This was an opportunity to make these communities aware of the culture component of Tonga.Online and stimulate a greater involvement in the preservation of Tonga culture.

Lwiindi 2009

Mucheni Primary School Ngoma yabuntibe group was earmarked to travel to Sinazongwe, Zambia on the 31st of July 2009, for the Lwiindi ceremony. This was not achieved due to some technicalities. The Lwiindi was subsequently cancelled due to the death of the “keeper of the shrines” on the morning of the event (1st of August 2009). Simonga group, from Siachilaba travelled for the ceremony and eventually remained for the funeral.

Music Recording and Editing

Lumvwano Brothers are in the process of re-recording their vocals in a bid to improve them. The St Marys Youth Choir recorded their album and now need to complete the recording.

Theatre Development

The studio started working with an upcoming theatre group by offering rehearsal space as well as directing their production. The group rehearses on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1400hrs to 1600 hrs and on Saturdays from 1000hrs to 1200hrs.

E-Books and FAO/UNESCO Meeting

A meeting was held at Manjolo Secondary school to share experiences on how Teachers and Pupils from Binga High School and Manjolo Secondary Schools respectively could benefit from the eBooks and other training resources available. The meeting was attended by eight (8) teachers (3 females and 5 males). The purpose of the meeting was to knowledge on the 17500 + 609 eBooks for Schools and also FAO/UNESCO modules. Participants discovered quite a number of English Literature set books on the e-books such as Romeo and Juliet by Julius Caesar. Also, participants were enriched with wealth of information on the how to use e-learning modules passed on to them by Tonga Online courtesy of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. These modules were developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and partner agencies and institutions with the goal of strengthening information management and exchange in agencies, institutions and networks world-wide, allowing them to work together more effectively. Modules distributed to schools were:

1. Digitization and Digital Libraries
   The module introduces the workflows, processes, technologies and skills involved in the creation, management and distribution of digital libraries.
2. Management of Electronic Documents
   This Module deals with the collection, archiving, management and dissemination of electronic documents and associated images.
3. Networking in Support of Development
   This module describes how ICT is not only a technology but also a medium for communications. It looks at how the different levels of ICT in a country – local, national and international – fit together to provide a workable means of communication and the issues that affect each level.
4. Build Electronic Communities and Networks
   The module provides an overview of the opportunities and challenges of using ICTs to enhance existing methods of collaboration and information sharing, and covers the various steps and procedures for developing and facilitating electronic communities. It introduces and teaches users about the approaches, methods, and tools used to build electronic communities and stimulate active participation.
5. Investing in Information for Development
   The module addresses the needs of managers and decision-makers for new awareness and skills related to development and implementation of strategies, policies, structures, and procedures for effective management of information. It reviews current trends in access to and dissemination of information, and how new information and communication technologies (ICTs) affect and enhance information activities in an institutional environment.

Computers Basic Maintenance workshop

Hands on Computer basic maintenance training, to impart basic maintenance skills to teachers in charge of ITCs was held at Manjolo Secondary school. This was attended by teachers from Manjolo Primary School and Secondary School. At total of 6 participants (4 males and 2 females) from Manjolo Primary, Binga Primary and Manjolo Secondary Schools benefitted from the trainining. The objectives of the training were:

• To equip ICT teacher in charge with essential ITC maintenance skills
• To equip teachers with software installation skills, for Ubuntu and Windows XP

Tender Document

A tender document inviting renowned companies to bid for the supply and fix of the solar at three schools in Binga district was prepared and sent to Arachnid, Rotary Club Belmont and Rural Electrification Agency (REA). Currently TOL is waiting for responses from these companies.

Wikipedia

After fruitless efforts of trying to download the Wikipedia from Zimbabwe for schools and other stakeholders, Tonga.Online managed to make some link up with the save the children UK. Save the Children sent the Wikipedia on DVD to TOL.

e-Waste Pilot

E-waste is an informal name for electronic products nearing the end of their "useful life." Computers, televisions, VCRs, stereos, copiers, and fax machines are common electronic products. Many of these products can be re-used, refurbished, or recycled. Tonga.Online has started networking and discussing with stakeholders on the e-waste project. The Objectives of our e-Waste project are:-

• To act as a knowledge hub on e-waste for Organisations in Binga or beyond.
• To encourage an increased  re-use of electrical and electronic equipment
• To encourage an increased materials recovery from e-waste 
• To encourage the safe processing of e-waste
• To encourage life-cycle thinking
• To develop clear policy recommendations

From this initiative, quite a number of usable e-waste was collected from partners and further donated to schools. Below are the e-waste anecdotes in Binga

Binga Trees

Tonga.Online visited Binga Trees, an organization in Binga, they opened their store rooms to us and we both identified a huge collection of e-waste. They allowed TOL to collect e-waste and recycle or re-use.  A printer was been fixed and was now benefiting the children of Siachilaba Primary School.

Catholic Development Commission (CADEC)

CADEC released a non working Printer and Typewriter from their store room as e-waste.  A component from the Binga Trees e-waste brought the printer back to life. The Printer will be donated to Pashu Secondary school who will look for the easier-to-get data and power cables.

More work needs to be done to recycle some of the gadgets but some will definitely be waste that Tonga Online will need to liaise with the Environmental Management Authority of Zimbabwe about and work out a safe way of  disposal.

Compiled by

P.  Muzamba
Project Director.