A JERSEY woman has just returned to the Island after teaching African school children and their teachers how to use computers.

Diane Porritt went to the Tumaini Academy in Kenya on 6 January to teach in Donald Mzungu’s village.
Mr Mzungu is a Kenyan Pastor who lived in Jersey for eight years fund-raising for his village, Shariani, before moving back there in December last year.

Computers, software and a printer were donated by local couple David and Anne Crossland. Computer screens, teaching manuals, CD Roms and touch-typing manuals were donated by 2e2 Jersey Ltd, Itex Jersey Ltd and Highlands College Business School

Diane, an office manager for Mr Crossland at Crossland Private Office, went to Kenya with her friend, Mary Stark, to set them up and do some teaching. Diane said that she had a wonderful experience teaching at the school.

‘Imagine sitting at a computer and keyboard while the sound of children’s voices melodiously sing in Swahili, the sweet sound drifting through the square, barred and meshed holes in the clay bricks that represent windows,’ she said.

Diane taught seven teachers and about 50 students how to use their newly installed computers and, by the end of the trip, Tumaini Academy was connected to e-mail with three of the computers networked.

Her lesson plan covered the QWERTY keyboard (touch typing), Word for Windows, e-mail and internet. She taught from 10 am until 4 pm, but many lessons over ran because the pupils were so keen, she said.

‘Some students had walked an hour from the next village to attend and wanted to make the most of every opportunity. This was their chance to change their lives,’ she said. ‘The heat was sometimes overwhelming, as around 20 students crammed into the computer room and gathered around to use the keyboards and practice their new skills. The eagerness, intelligence and good manners of all the students, was a joy to behold.’

She said that all the pupils came colourfully dressed in beautifully pressed shirts, trousers, dresses and skirts. ‘Donald had thought of everything and built a toilet block with western toilet pans. Although running water is not yet connected, a bucket of water suffices as a flush,’ she said. ‘Teaching at Tumaini Academy was a wonderful experience – the gentleness of the people, the welcoming smiles and greetings, ‘karibou’ (Welcome to Kenya). Those who have so little have so very much in the way of joy, peace and love for each other.’