December 13, 2002 - The Westbury Times: Kenya RPCVs send computers to Africa
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December 13, 2002 - The Westbury Times: Kenya RPCVs send computers to Africa
Kenya RPCVs send computers to Africa
Caption: Lyn Dobrin, Tom Schultz, Arthur Dobrin, Heather Schultz load computers on the first step on their road to Africa.
Read and comment on this story from the Westbury Times on Arthur and Lyn Dobrin, former Kenya Peace Corps volunteers who have maintained their connection with the country and are now raising funds to build a school in the area where they worked in the '60s. "Our school, the Sema Academy, is near completion and in June, Tom and Heather Schultz who run the Canaan Foundation will be bringing computers there," said Arthur Dobrin. Read the story at:
Long Island Computers En Route to Africa*
* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.
Long Island Computers En Route to Africa
Thirty-six computers, 13 monitors, 28 keyboards, two printers and two CD-rom drives have begun their long journey from Long Island to schools in Kenya, East Africa.
The used computers, donated by individuals and local businesses, will be refurbished and then taken to the schools under the auspices of the Canaan Foundation, a Connecticut-based program whose goal is to bring computer literacy to schools in Kenya. The Canaan Foundation supports both local education and wildlife conservation through its work in Kenya.
Collecting the computers for Kenya were Westbury couple Arthur and Lyn Dobrin, former Kenya Peace Corps volunteers who have maintained their connection with the country and are now raising funds to build a school in the area where they worked in the '60s.
"Our school, the Sema Academy, is near completion and in June, Tom and Heather Schultz who run the Canaan Foundation will be bringing computers there," said Arthur Dobrin.
Tom Schultz, CEO of the Dickinson Witch Hazel Company in Hartford, CT, taught secondary school in Kenya in the early '70s. "We are so fortunate to have learned about the efforts of Tom and Heather and to work on this project with them," said Lyn Dobrin.
Hicksville's Crown Advertising Agency, Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, Hearst Business Publishing in Garden City and the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in Manhattan were among the businesses and institutions who donated items. "It is a pleasure to provide computers to people who look forward to learning how they can enhance their lives with this technology," said Thomas Cullen, president of Crown Advertising.
"We are still collecting computers and would welcome calls from anyone who would like to help out," said Lyn Dobrin.
To learn more about Sema Academy or donating computers, visit the website: www.ehsli.org/kenya/kenya, or call the Dobrins at 516-997-8545. The Kenya Fund is a project of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island in Garden City.
More about the Kenya Project
Read more about this story at their web site at:
The Kenya Project
The Kenya Project
May 23, 2002
Kenya has been close to our hearts for more than 35 years, since we first lived in Kisii District as Peace Corps Volunteers. We have maintained close ties and two summers ago we returned for what was our twelfth time. As a result of that visit, we have taken on the responsibility of building a school in Kenya -- Sema Academy. We hope you will join in that endeavor with us.
Education is the key -- to good health, to equality between the sexes, to a prosperous life, to social justice and personal freedom. But education isn't available to everyone, especially in a country such as Kenya in East Africa, where free education is a false promise.
Under the direction of Dr. Japheth and Helen Maranga, Sema Academy has become a serious institution, as it has risen to near the top in academic standing in the Kisii/Kipsigis area.
We have known the Marangas for more than 25 years. She is a retired elementary school teacher and he chaired the early childhood education department at Moi University until his recent retirement.
The Kenya Fund of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island is now a year old and we are happy to tell you that the project has raised over $15,000. One of the three wings for the school now has a roof and a blackboard and building is nearing completion. Tuition for his entire school career has been guaranteed for seven-year old Japheth Makori. Scholastic Books sent reading materials for the school library and a pen pal program has been implemented with children in New York and Chicago. The school is now acquiring its first computer.
We have received grants from the Schulz Charitable Foundation, the Joe Weill Social Action Project of the Ethical Humanist Society of LI and the Returned Peace Corps Association of LI. The remainder of the money was raised from contributions of individuals ranging in amounts from $25 to $1,000.
In a country where the average income is less than $500 per year, a little money goes a long way. Here are some examples:
* $25 buys a book for every child in one class;
* $64 pays for one month's teacher's salary;
* $100 puts a child through grade school for a year;
* $400 buys glass for windows, plaster for walls, cement for a floor and a blackboard;
* $6,000 completes a building that has 10 classrooms, staff-room, head teacher's office, director's office and a computer room;
* $10,000 makes the school tuition-free for all the children for one year.
These hopes, dreams and aspirations can become realities. Two years ago the Marangas had never thought they would have one building completed and the help that they have received. Most importantly, is the education that they can now provide, in this a country beset with enormous social problems. Some day it will be the children from Sema who will make a difference in their own country.
We hope that you will see the Kenya Fund as one of the projects that you support. We are sure that the money we send overseas will make a difference in the lives of many people. And we can assure you that the money goes directly to the project. There are no administrative costs and no overhead.
The Kenya Fund is under the supervision of three returned Peace Corps volunteers from Kenya and it is part of the Ethical Humanist Society of Long Island.
Please send your tax-deductible contribution, made out to the Kenya Fund/EHS of LI to: Kenya Fund, Ethical Society, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City, NY 11530.
If you have any questions about the fund and would like to speak with us, we can be reached at home at 516-997-8545.
Thank you.
-- Arthur & Lyn Dobrin
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This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; Service; COS - Kenya; Special Interests - Computers
PCOL1642
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Dear sir/madam
I am a student taking a diploma course in Information technology(IT).I wanted to enquire something from you so that i can do the necessary.If you offer internships I would be glad to work with your organiation as a voluneer for three months as part of the corse requirement.So please reply this massage so that if it is possible i can the hand in my application officially.
Good afternoon from a very wet Mombasa!!!
For all of the Peace Corps members.
We have recently launched a website for travellers coming to Kenya namely www.kenyalastminute.com it has all the lastest special offers on it, from hotels to flights and accomodation. There are special rates for Peace Corps and Vso etc. Should you need us we are here. Keep up the good work.
Dear Sirs/Ladies,
We are a non profit organizatiuon working in rural area in kenya, we are currently seeking support in order to establish a community resource centre. we have already received an approved sponsourship of a 40 foot container of books and some refurbished computers from books for Africa USA,
We are however required to cater for the shipment cost which we are unable to afford due to resource constrains,
It is for this reason that we kindly request for your support in order to enable us achieve our vision
we would very much appreciate any kind of assistance ofered to our organization
kindly contact us in case you need any further information conserning this issue
Yours Sincerely
Bonfas Oyaro Ongoro
Executive Secretary
Osogo community-Family Health Initiatives
P.O BOX 275
SUNA-MIGORI CODE 40400
kenya
