Mobile Laptop Library
Let's Read I.T.
**Thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraising for this project!**
In 2015, we set up a mobile laptop library (aka Let’s Read IT), to provide additional support for literacy for the children in 20 schools in Sirigu. The children and teachers love it!
With a grant from Laces Trust, we bought a van and employed a man. 35 second-hand sturdy laptops were donated and we installed some very basic programmes not needing an internet connection.
Our partner organisation, AfriKids, provided us with an office in a local community centre – for security and overnight recharging. Our project manager, Bala, is known by the children as “Mr Laptop”! He also drives and maintains the vehicle.
With a grant from Laces Trust, we bought a van and employed a man. 35 second-hand sturdy laptops were donated and we installed some very basic programmes not needing an internet connection.
Our partner organisation, AfriKids, provided us with an office in a local community centre – for security and overnight recharging. Our project manager, Bala, is known by the children as “Mr Laptop”! He also drives and maintains the vehicle.
Each morning, he loads the laptops into the van, and drives to the first school, leaving 10 with the IT teacher there. He goes on to the next school to leave another 10 laptops, and then to a third one, where he stays and assists with the IT lesson.
His arrival at a school causes many cheers and he is welcomed by excited children shouting “Mr. Laptop! Mr. Laptop!” They run to school when they know that laptops will be in their school that day.
His arrival at a school causes many cheers and he is welcomed by excited children shouting “Mr. Laptop! Mr. Laptop!” They run to school when they know that laptops will be in their school that day.
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After about two hours, Bala helps the children to put the laptops away correctly; they are loaded securely into the van and he goes back to base via the other two schools. Back at the office, he checks all the computers and puts them on charge to be ready for the next day.
The 20 schools in this scheme get use of the laptops about once fortnight, usually for use with upper primary pupils. The teachers are delighted; most have never used a computer themselves. We run regular training workshops for them.
Whilst the main focus of Let's Read IT is literacy, the children also gain IT skills and develop their understanding of number too. More teachers are developing IT skills, attending workshops as well as learning along with the children.
Ama's Story
“I had heard all about computers. You can see pictures and words and they help you to learn. Lots of people have them, but not out here on the farms, and it’s too far for us to walk to the town.
My name is Ama. I am 12 years old and live in a village in northern Ghana. I go to school every day and I am learning to read and write. I had never seen a computer, but my cousin in the town told me about them. I wished we had them at our school.
Then one day, a white van drove into our school, and Mr Laptop arrived with blue bags full of computers for us to use! And my class was chosen to work with Mr. Laptop! He comes about once a week and we are learning so much – how to use computers and to improve our English too. We love the programs – they are just like games really.
We all shout ‘Mr Laptop! Mr. Laptop!’ when we see the white van coming and we run to school. It’s so exciting!”
July 2019
My name is Ama. I am 12 years old and live in a village in northern Ghana. I go to school every day and I am learning to read and write. I had never seen a computer, but my cousin in the town told me about them. I wished we had them at our school.
Then one day, a white van drove into our school, and Mr Laptop arrived with blue bags full of computers for us to use! And my class was chosen to work with Mr. Laptop! He comes about once a week and we are learning so much – how to use computers and to improve our English too. We love the programs – they are just like games really.
We all shout ‘Mr Laptop! Mr. Laptop!’ when we see the white van coming and we run to school. It’s so exciting!”
July 2019