12 eCorps tech volunteers to Nigeria for 2 weeks in August

Volunteers Needed:	10
Volunteers Recruited:	12
Resources Needed:	$57,000
Resources Pledged:	$51,500

The twelve tech volunteers who have signed-up so far to help in Nigeria are from the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Nigeria, the United States, and two are from Zimbabwe. One of the volunteers from the States was born in Nigeria. Two of the volunteers are planning on staying for additional weeks.

World Computer Exchange is sending 12 eCorps tech volunteers to Kaduna, Nigeria for two weeks this August from the 9th to the 23rd . The 4 tasks for the volunteer eCorps team will be: (1) general community and school orientation about using computers and the Internet, (2) configuring servers for local area networks, (3) Linux LTSP configuration of servers for thin client labs using Pentium 4s as servers and Pentium 1s as dumb terminals all connected to an eGranary digital library, and (4) piloting a plan for responsible recycling of dead computers in Nigeria.  Team members have practical experience in computer refurbishment and recycling, Linux LTSP thin client networking, and responsible disposal of computer e-waste when the computers are dead.  One of the team is a videographer who will produce a video that will be posted on YouTube and on this website. 

This tech team was invited by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna that is importing 800 computers from WCE Chicago and WCE Vermont to help them connect 20 of their schools to the Internet. The 800 computers that are now enroute will connect 25 schools in 7 Dioceses across this state in the Northern part of Nigeria. Over 10,000 students will benefit from these computers in Catholic schools which have a diverse student population drawn from different communities in Nigeria. These computers will change the lives of many of the young people, increase and sustain student intake in schools and enhance their competitiveness.

These 800 computers are partially sponsored by The Strategic Group in Gainesville, Florida. They learned of WCE in the December issue of GLAMOUR magazine.  Two of their employees are joining the team for the second week.

All costs for the team while they are in Nigeria will be covered by the Archdiocese and our volunteers have been invited to stay in local homes and learn about the history and culture of Nigeria. Each volunteer will need to pay for their $900 - $2,000 flight which is tax deductible and get an international insurance rider on their medical insurance, and sign a liability waiver for World Computer Exchange.  All ten will fly on flights from their countries to try to arrive in Abuja on August 9th at approximately the same time. Fr. Kukah has arranged for all members of the team to be picked-up from the airport and driven the two hours north to Kaduna and the homes that have volunteered to house the team.

Our contact is Monsignor Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Vicar General of the Archdiocese. Msgr. Kukah was Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference. He is currently working in a Parish with a population of over 6,000 parishioners in the city of Kaduna. He has been actively involved in human rights work in Nigeria for nearly 20 years. In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed by the President to serve as a member of the Truth Commission in Nigeria and is currently working to end the conflict between Shell and the people of Ogoni in the Niger-Delta while also serving currently as a Member of the Electoral Reform Committee.

WCE is planning similar future eCorps trips in the next few months to Bolivia and Tanzania in the next few months. If you are interested in being part of eCorps, please e-mail TAnderson@WorldComputerExchange.org