Nigeria Trip - August 2008

The eleven tech volunteers returned from their work in Kaduna, Nigeria. They were from the Cayman Islands, Costa Rica, Nigeria, the United States and Zimbabwe.   Business Wire Press Release.

World Computer Exchange sent these 11 eCorps tech volunteers to Kaduna, Nigeria for two weeks from the 9th to the 24th of August. The 4 tasks for the volunteer eCorps team were: (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.  Bryan was briefly detained by the police for taking some of the pictures - so this should be interesting!

This tech team was invited by the Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna that imported 800 computers from WCE Chicago and WCE Vermont to help them connect 25 of schools in 7 Dioceses to the Internet. The 800 computers arrived just as the team was departing - but they were able to get the Internet into a school from a local telecenter and were able to set up the networks into which the computers will be installed.  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 were generously covered by the Archdiocese and several of our eCorps volunteers were invited to stay in local homes and learn about the history and culture of Nigeria. Each volunteer paid $1,100 - $2,000 for their visa, international insurance, and flight which was tax deductible for most.  Fr. Kukah arranged for all members of the team to be picked-up from the airport and driven the two adn a half hours north to Kaduna and to the social center of the Diocese. 

Our host was 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 Tech in the next few months as well as 2 university student trips in January to Nepal and Kenya, Bolivia, Nepal or Tanzania. If you are interested in being part of eCorps, please e-mail eCorps@WorldComputerExchange.org