Fantino, Sánchez Ramiréz (February 2002)

This collaborative effort between Enersol and Centro Cultural Poveda, a Dominican NGO with expertise in the area of rural education, involved the installation of solar-powered computer labs in 3 schools: El Can, Loma de Comedero and Los Pinos. An Enersol volunteer conducted basic computer skills classes for teachers and students, to help them get the most out of their equipment, software, educational tools and the Internet. Teachers also received guidance on how computer-learning tools might enhance their established curriculum and increase administrative efficiencies.

The three Fantino schools now have access to the Internet via a satellite network connected at a nearby high school. The text of the first e-mail, sent by 4th and 5th grade students follows (in both Spanish and English):

Buenas días Jacqueline.

Le estamos saludando desde la Escula Básica de Los Pinos para decirle que nos sentimos muy alegre que tenemos una conexión a Internet. Somos 16 estudiantes de 4to y 5to cursos y estamos estudiando informática hoy con Jessica.

Recibimos el primer examen de informática hoy. Nos fue regular. Tres estudiantes sacamos 100. Tres sacamos 90. Cuatro sacamos 80. Y los demás tenemos que estudiar un poco mas.

Esto es la primera vez que nosotros mandamos un correo electrónico. Estamos muy orgulloso de participar en esta actividad.

Desde Los Pinos, Comedero Arriba, Republica Dominicana nos despedimos de usted con mucho cariño.

Atentamente,

Los alumnos de 4to y 5to



Hello Jacqueline,

We greet you from Los Pinos Elementary School to tell you that we are very happy that we have a connection with the Internet. We are 16 students from the 4th and 5th grade and we are studying information technology with Jessica.

We took our first examination in Information [Technology] today. We did well. Three students scored 100%. Three scored 90%. Four scored 80%. And the others must study a little more!

This is the first time that we are sending an email. We are very proud to participate in this activity.

From Los Pinos, in Comedero Arriba, Dominican Republic, we send you much affection.

Attentively,

The students of the 4th and 5th grades

Jaiquí and Loma Atravesada, Monte Cristi
Set in the northwestern province of Monte Cristi, these EduSol communities are located in one of the Dominican Republic’s most arid regions. The local economy is based on fishing, oregano cultivation, goat farming and bee-keeping, and both villages have high levels of poverty as evidenced by the prevalence houses built in the traditional style of teja-maní. Home to 63 families, Jaiquí has one school with one teacher and 23 students in first through third grades. Loma Atravesada is home to 56 families. The school also has one teacher and 43 students in first through fourth grades. These are multi-grade schools where one teacher has to simultaneously teach several grades. While adding a new dimension to the existing challenges may seem illogical, the use of IT can allow the teachers to put small groups of students on their own, allowing them to concentrate more fully on others. Enersol is partnering with INDENOR on these projects, which began in July 2004.

La China, Puerto Plata
La China, Puerto Plata is a small remote community on the northern mountain range, 40 minutes by foot from the nearest road. In its isolation, the community retains traditional practices of solidarity and self-help that are less common today. A PCV works closely with the community to form the project association and plan its work. Building the group’s project management skills has allowed us to field-test new training modules. A successful workshop was held with 35 people of all ages to design the group’s statutes in a participatory manner. We also assisted the group to plan the project’s financial model. A local technician from a regional PV-supply business installed the energy system in August. The PCV trained school children, community youth and interested adults to use the basic software. Several youth were trained as monitors to help others learn to use the technology. The project was inaugurated in November.

Los Corozos, San José de Ocoa
Los Corozos, San José de Ocoa is located on the southern face of the Cordillera Central, in a region well-known for innovative development whose economy is based on agriculture. The school is unusual. It covers twelve grades with seven teachers serving 180 students. It already had a PV system to enable a video-based distance learning program. The project commenced in January 2004 and a eace Corps volunteer trained teachers and student monitors in computer basics during the first half of the year. Upon completion of her service, Enersol arranged for continued project support. The seven teachers also began a course at a local IT institute in the provincial capital (45 minutes from the community). Another PCV working in a community about 2 hours away continues to strengthen the community’s organizational skills and monitor the project.

Los Dajaos, La Vega
Enersol and Junta Yaque signed an agreement in May, 2004 to implement one EduSol project. Junta Yaque selected the community of Los Dajaos and the project began in June 2004. The community fulfilled the prerequisites in less than a month, purchasing two batteries and collecting the money for their Operation and Maintenance Fund. During the summer workshops were held to elect and organize a project committee and to draft project by-laws. The three teachers and the committee members participated in computer training given by a local instructor beginning in July. By September the PV system was installed along with the computers. In 2005, the teachers are participating in mini-workshops to learn how to best use the computers and educational software for their administrative and teaching practices.

Vuelta Larga, María Trinidad Sánchez
In July 2004, SODIN signed an agreement with Enersol to implement one project, as part of its internationally-recognized strategy to manage the Loma Guaconejo Scientific Reserve. SODIN selected Vuelta Larga, one of 10 communities in the buffer zone of the protected area as the first site. It is a community of 73 families located 5 kilometers from the electrical grid. The well-maintained school was built under SODIN’s school improvement initiative, for which the community raised 18% of the costs. After the project began in July 2004, SODIN assisted the community to form a committee, organize a user fee collection system, and prepare the project by-laws. The PV system was installed in September, and the two teachers and selected youth began a computer training course in October.