eCorps Zimbabwe December 2011
Now recruiting: Zimbabwe December 2nd - December 17th Group Size: 7
Host City: Harare, Zimbabwe
Cost: $500 reservation + airfare + food/lodging (tax deductible)*
* A donor is underwriting travel grants to cover a portion of the costs for 7
World Computer Exchange seeks individuals with good technology skills to help schools in Zimbabwe. This team of 5-7 “eCorps” volunteers will depart for two weeks on December 2nd.
Team information
The focus of this team is to "train the trainers" with an emphasis on encouraging girls to participate in computer-based learning. Zimbabwe is the first country to receive an eCorps team as part of our Computers for Girls Initiative. Volunteers for this trip need to be at least 21 years of age.
Volunteers need one or more of the following skills: using the Internet in education, network troubleshooting, computer repair, training, website development, appropriate recycling of electronic waste, or Linux LTSP thin-client lab installation. Volunteers need to speak English.
What to expect
The trip will begin with two days of rest, site-seeing and orientation in Harare. Our Programme Officers in Zimbabwe and WCE's e-Waste Initiative Manager, Denboy Kudejira, Nicholas Sundire (WCE eCorps Nigeria 2008) and Tinei Mutsago (WCE eCorps Nigeria 2008) will lead the orientation. After orientation, the group will take the bus from Harare to more rural areas and begin work for eleven days in one or more sites The team will be assisting WCE Partner organisations that have already received WCE computers and plan to receive additional computers from WCE.
The work sites for eCorps Zimbabwe 2011 have not yet been finalized. The priority will be on programs that work with girls. Read more about the WCE Girls Initiative. We are currently checking on the projects needed for these programs and other WCE Partners that have received computers from WCE. The team will also meet with WCE Partners and other groups in Zimbabwe that have expressed interest in getting computers from WCE in the future.
Itinerary
- Friday: Travel from your country
- Saturday: Arrival and rest and informal dinner with other team members in Harare
- Sunday: Orientation and site seeing in Harare
- Monday: Bus travel from Harare to first work site
- 10 days: At your work sites
- 2 days: Site-seeing from your work site
- Thursday: Return to Harare
- Friday: Return travel to your country
Find out what it's like to be on an eCorps Team
Many prior eCorps volunteers have found their 2-week trip to be life-changing, a once in a life time experience. Here are some first-hand accounts to give you an idea of what eCorps is all about: Read about eCorps Nigeria the evaluation and comments of our eCorps Tanzania 2009 team or the evaluation and comments of our eCorps Kenya 2009 team. Our prior eCorps volunteers would love to share stories of their adventure with you!
Read more about our project in Zimbabwe and about how you too can invest in a better and equal education for girls: Girls Initiative
Reserve your place on eCorps Zimbabwe!
To reserve this trip, team members need to fill our our eCorps application, make a tax deductible donation to WCE of $500 (administrative fee) and the cost of your flights. WCE will provide you with a tax receipt for the WCE cost, your flight, and the costs of innoculations, visa, guide, travel inside Zimbabwe along with your food and lodging costs that will need to be paid in Zimbabwe. We can provide you with a fund raising letter and links to help you find Sponsors to help you with the costs of your trip. WCE can help you with letters, web postings and tax-deductible receipts as you are looking for Sponsors to help reduce your costs.
A copy of our eCorps Application is linked here in Word.
Estimated Costs: $3,000 (less for some work sites) A donor is paying a portion of the costs associated with eCorps Zimbabwe. Yes, you can donate amount to WCE for tax deduction.
-
September round trip airfare between Boston (sample city) and Harare is approximately $2,000. Check on airfare from your country - WCE can help you with finding low cost fares.
- WCE Coordination: $500 ($150 if you live in Africa)
- Business Visa: $100 (you need to get this from an Embassy of Zimbabwe prior to your departure for Zimbabwe)
- Travel / Medical Evacuation Insurance: $100
- Immunizations: $75 (if you need them)
- 2 days in Harare for: orientation, lodging & meals ($19 x 2) and site-seeing : $100
- Transportation to/from Harare and your work site: $55
- Lodging and Breakfast/Dinner for 11 nights (maximum): $20 x 11 = $220
All of your costs can be covered through a donation to WCE. This is tax-deductible in Canada and the USA. We can also provide you with a letter to use in seeking to raise funds from your employer or organisation and friends.
If you want to join the eCorps Zimbabwe 2011 team, please e-mail us at: Zimbabwe@WorldComputerExchange.org
