DAVS Projects: Computer Literacy

By sharing their knowledge of IT with students and teachers alike, volunteers increase the future prospects of each individual they help. The project aims to provide free access to computer education for young people in Ghana who cannot afford the high cost of computer education. The government of Ghana recently introduced computer education in the schools. curriculum that makes it compulsory for every child to have access to computer education but this has been faced with lots of challenges such as lack of teachers and resources. Like children throughout the world, Ghanaian children are fascinated by computers and eager to learn how to use them. Teaching such a useful skill is invaluable, both to individuals and the communities they live in. The project will benefit children also find themselves in a position where they can benefit from all that the worldwide web has to offer.

We have an I.T Center which is located at Ho in the Volta Region of Ghana. The training facility currently has about twenty-one computers including desktop and laptops. Volunteers are needed to help teach very basic computer programs like Microsoft Word, Micrsoft Excel, MS PowerPoint and internet training.

Volunteers taking part in our computer literacy project are required to spend some of their time making sure that the local teachers know how to use computers. If not they share their own knowledge with them and in this way the project can sustain itself when there are no volunteers around.

Volunteers teach a variety of practical computer skills ranging from how to turn a computer on and off, to explaining software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and demonstrating how to use the Internet for research and communication. Other practical work includes helping students during activities, as well as creating learning materials, worksheets and a student database system. You may find yourself teaching packages such as: Word, Excel, Access, Office, Power point or Paint. Alternatively, you may help some of your students improve their typing skills.

We are still fundraising for used computers and sponsors to pay for our internet bills. Volunteers can bring used laptops or desktop computers and accessories.

Upon arrival to the program, volunteers will be introduced to the local volunteer teachers and students for familiarization. A detail daily schedules and resources will be provided to support your teaching and lesson preparations. Ghanaian students are friendly so there is no need to be nervous.

Pictured below is the class of graduates from the Summer-Fall 2009 DAVS computer training courses: