You are very right. New computers are the same price here as they are in the US or Europe (usually even a little more expensive.) What there is a great market for used computers. I can get a P3 with keyboard, monitor, and mouse for about $200. While not the highest quality they will last at least 2 years, enough time for them to recoup their initial cost and pay for replacements. I have found that unless you have tons of money to pay for a sterile lab (ie. Air-Con, sealed windows, etc) this environment is REALLY harsh on machines. We figure we will pay a little less for the machines with the assumption that we will be replacing them.
Your skepticism is valid. The initial post was not necessarily a call for money (although that would be nice...:)
If you want to read more about my project and why it isn't a 419 check out my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com or the description of the project at http://aaroninafrica.blogspot.com/2006/07/project. html. Sadly the full proposal isn't on the site as I don't have access to a hosting site while over here. If you would like me to send you the PDF please give me your contact info or get in touch with me directly from my blog.
Thanks for your comments.
(Interesting side note... while in an internet cafe here I happened to glance at the screen of the person working next to me. Guess what he was working on? A 419 email... So interesting to see it from this side!)
Thanks for your comments. It's nice to know that there are other people out there struggling through the same issues as I am. It's amazing how many comments have already come in from other PCVs and volunteers doing the same sort of work. I wish there was a central place where we could all share stories/experiences/advice in this area of work.
Keep up the good work! I love your idea of a CS Masters. I'm going to check out your site and read a little more.
I would love a review of my proposal. Sadly I don't have access to a hosting site over here (or back at home) and have nowhere to post it. I could send it to you if you would like to take a look at it. My contact info can be found on my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com.
Thanks for your comments! If I get the chance I would love to hop over and meet you/check out your center. How much longer will you be working there? Also, what org are you with?
In response to some of your comments...
I agree with your assessment of used equipment. After doing a lot of research I was turned off by the idea of getting used equipment donations from out of country. I think I've found a nice middle ground between buying brand new equipment (too expensive) and getting used stuff sent here (usually crap.) We have a really well developed local market for used computer equipment. I can get an ok P3 machine for about $200. At that cost I figure we can lose a couple machines every year and still be fine dealing with replacement costs. You are lucky to be in Ghana and have the benefits of its more developed infrastructure. The first time I was in Accra I thought I had stumbled into some amazing Europe/US fairy land in Africa (you have overpasses!)
One area where Togo is doing well is in Internet availability. The main (only) telecoms provider just launched a wireless internet service based off of Huawei equipment. For about $50 a month I have an always on connection with a down speed around 15k. Luckily, that's cheap enough to provide an income that can pay for a computer center.
Please keep in touch (my contact info can be found on my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com). I would love to keep abreast of your progress. Thanks for your comments!
Thanks for your comments! I do in fact have a proposal. Check out the outline of the project at http://aaroninafrica.blogspot.com/2006/07/project. html. Sadly I don't have a hosting services while I am here. If you would like to see the entire proposal check out my contact info on my blog and send me your email address. I am hoping to get a friend to post the proposal somewhere. Hopefully that will be up soon.
I do agree with you when you talk about the potential pit-falls of a project like this. You make a good point of the IT project "parachuted in from above." I would go so far as to say that sadly, most development work is done that way. My project is different (i hope) in a number of ways. First, as a Peace Corps Volunteer (other PCVs and RPCVs can back me up here) I have a pretty good feeling for my community. I live, work and eat with the people I am doing this project with. That gives me a little more perspective and hopefully I have added that into the proposal that I have written. Second, you make a valid point as to the necessity of training. I feel lucky in that I have found a way to do this where I already have a group of able, dedicated people to help make this project work.
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You are very right. New computers are the same price here as they are in the US or Europe (usually even a little more expensive.) What there is a great market for used computers. I can get a P3 with keyboard, monitor, and mouse for about $200. While not the highest quality they will last at least 2 years, enough time for them to recoup their initial cost and pay for replacements. I have found that unless you have tons of money to pay for a sterile lab (ie. Air-Con, sealed windows, etc) this environment is REALLY harsh on machines. We figure we will pay a little less for the machines with the assumption that we will be replacing them.
Thanks for your comment!
Your skepticism is valid. The initial post was not necessarily a call for money (although that would be nice... :)
. html. Sadly the full proposal isn't on the site as I don't have access to a hosting site while over here. If you would like me to send you the PDF please give me your contact info or get in touch with me directly from my blog.
If you want to read more about my project and why it isn't a 419 check out my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com or the description of the project at http://aaroninafrica.blogspot.com/2006/07/project
Thanks for your comments.
(Interesting side note... while in an internet cafe here I happened to glance at the screen of the person working next to me. Guess what he was working on? A 419 email... So interesting to see it from this side!)
Thanks for your comments. It's nice to know that there are other people out there struggling through the same issues as I am. It's amazing how many comments have already come in from other PCVs and volunteers doing the same sort of work. I wish there was a central place where we could all share stories/experiences/advice in this area of work.
Keep up the good work! I love your idea of a CS Masters. I'm going to check out your site and read a little more.
I would love a review of my proposal. Sadly I don't have access to a hosting site over here (or back at home) and have nowhere to post it. I could send it to you if you would like to take a look at it. My contact info can be found on my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com.
Thanks for the offer!
Isn't it sad how the Peace Corps sends us over here and then leaves us few options for finding money to do real work?
If you are ever in Sokode (about an hour south of Kara) feel free to give me a call! My contact info is on my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com.
Thanks for your comments! If I get the chance I would love to hop over and meet you/check out your center. How much longer will you be working there? Also, what org are you with?
In response to some of your comments...
I agree with your assessment of used equipment. After doing a lot of research I was turned off by the idea of getting used equipment donations from out of country. I think I've found a nice middle ground between buying brand new equipment (too expensive) and getting used stuff sent here (usually crap.) We have a really well developed local market for used computer equipment. I can get an ok P3 machine for about $200. At that cost I figure we can lose a couple machines every year and still be fine dealing with replacement costs. You are lucky to be in Ghana and have the benefits of its more developed infrastructure. The first time I was in Accra I thought I had stumbled into some amazing Europe/US fairy land in Africa (you have overpasses!)
One area where Togo is doing well is in Internet availability. The main (only) telecoms provider just launched a wireless internet service based off of Huawei equipment. For about $50 a month I have an always on connection with a down speed around 15k. Luckily, that's cheap enough to provide an income that can pay for a computer center.
Please keep in touch (my contact info can be found on my blog at www.aaroninafrica.com). I would love to keep abreast of your progress. Thanks for your comments!
Thanks for your comments! I do in fact have a proposal. Check out the outline of the project at http://aaroninafrica.blogspot.com/2006/07/project. html. Sadly I don't have a hosting services while I am here. If you would like to see the entire proposal check out my contact info on my blog and send me your email address. I am hoping to get a friend to post the proposal somewhere. Hopefully that will be up soon.
I do agree with you when you talk about the potential pit-falls of a project like this. You make a good point of the IT project "parachuted in from above." I would go so far as to say that sadly, most development work is done that way. My project is different (i hope) in a number of ways. First, as a Peace Corps Volunteer (other PCVs and RPCVs can back me up here) I have a pretty good feeling for my community. I live, work and eat with the people I am doing this project with. That gives me a little more perspective and hopefully I have added that into the proposal that I have written. Second, you make a valid point as to the necessity of training. I feel lucky in that I have found a way to do this where I already have a group of able, dedicated people to help make this project work.
Thanks again for your comments.