WHH provided Ivy accommodations in the Women's Hostel on the 2nd floor of their facility, near the Computing Laboratory. Ivy prepared her own meals in the WHH facility's kitchen (thank you Kirkland Rotary for funding the kitchen!).Without this assistance, this computer training would have been beyond the reach of Ivy and her family. We congratulate Ivy on her major accomplishment and also Maxwell who has been with her every step of the way.
Starting with a small set of used laptops donated by Claudine and Mark Rubin of 1-800-GOT-JUNK? Inc. (bless you!), the Western Heritage Home Academy has launched a Vocational Computer Learning Laboratory on the 2nd floor of its facility in Axim. The Lab is aimed especially at young adults who have finished school or at working folks needing ICT skills as Ghana's economy modernizes. Starting from humble beginnings with just two students, the Academy is now actively registering students and will be fully operational in January 2010.
Leif Pederson, Ghana Together's VP for Planning and Technology, has actively mentored this new program. Frank Cudjoe, a Ghanaian friend from Axim who works professionally in IT in Accra, has helped out during trips back to his family home in Axim Town. Pat and Bill Gick provided coordination and logistical support. Maxwell Quarm, an experienced ICT teacher, joined WHH in early Fall 2009. Maxwell has prepared a curriculum, and joins with Ariana Amarh, WHH Manager, in marketing the program to the greater Axim community. Maxwell also mentors the WHH Scholars and neighborhood friends with the One Laptop Per Child computers, aimed at the "little guys" (and bless you, all your OLPC'ers out there!).
WHH's dream is to create a center of excellence for computer learning in the Axim area. From these humble beginnings, their dream is becoming reality!
