I am going with Computer Reach to deploy 100 Edubutnu desktops in Ghana, Africa.
Please review my project notebook for specific details on where I am going and how much it costs me.
Computer Reach does not have the funding to pay me for my time or cover all of my expenses. Please give generously.
NOW is a pivital moment in Ghana
We are there at the invitation of Africa ICT Right to establish a relationship with the Ghanan government for Free Software in education. This Fall 2012 project marks the first visit to Ghana with the intention of returning every 6 months to deploy 100 more desktops and visit our deployments. Pending your funding, we will continue to deploy Free Software in Ghana and resolve the digital divide.
Additionally, Ghana is in the myst of a Presidential election. Therefore, it is critical that now Free Software gets highly visible positive exposure in Ghana, specifically, the sites that we will visit in the capital of Accra and the villages of Gama East, West Gonja, and Ho.
My Role with Free Software and Computer Reach
I am working uncompensated full-time for the 501c3 non-profit Computer Reach as the "FREE Software Director." This role joins my interest resolving the digital divide and recycling with my experience in the Free Software Desktop. I am well qualified to deploy 100 desktops in Ghana Africa this Fall because:
- Over 13 years of professional experience in working with GNU/Linux desktops with Pittsburgh Supercomputing, Carnegie Mellon University, TimeSys Corporation, Bettis Laboratory, and Wellspring Worldwide.
- I was the engineering architect behind Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science's first Red Hat Linux computer lab.
- Through my leadership in Western PA Linux User Group since 2010, I mentored Computer Reach's Executive Director, Dave Sevick, through the process of adding Edubuntu and Free Software offerings for Apple desktops.
- I am a volunteer for Free Geek Chicago which refurbishes desktops with the Free Software Desktop, Xubuntu.
What We Need & What You Get
Even though this is a full time effort for me, Computer Reach does not have the funding to give me a salary or to reimburse all of my expenses. With the full cost of $250 for each computer, Computer Reach has wisely decided to put as much as their funds as possible into physical resources.
- Every time I encounter an expense, I document it on my notebook.
- Travel to an African nation for a US citizen means Visa expenses and immunization.
- The flight to Accra, Ghana cost $1500 alone and that is at a price that is hard to beat.
- If I don't reach my goal of $3000, my personal savings will be drained. This comes at a time which I do not have any other income or a "day job" to resume after the mission.
The Impact
Funding me generously means that I will proceed with confidence. Every six months, I will return to Ghana. Each time I will recruit, train, and manage yet another team of competent professionals in IT, education, and project management to deploy 100 more desktops.
Even though we are deploying 100 desktops, 1000s of lives will be touched as this is the only source of technology for their children and their families.
By using Free Software, we save money for Computer Reach and the program recipients by using non-proprietary software. This insures no surprise
We are giving the very best in software in education. I deployed Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science's first Free Software computer lab. This "FREE" software is the best for students because they have access to source code to study, build upon, and redistribute.
Other Ways You Can Help
All well-wishers are invited to participate, even if you cannot help with this campaign today.
- Please help us get out the word through your social network.
- The Computer Reach team will keep in constant contact regarding the status of Ghana via a mailing list. Sign up link coming soon.
- There will be a bon-voyage party in Pittsburgh PA on October 8. RSVP here.
