Camara

Call for teachers

Hester — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 12:23:51 +0000

This year we’ve had far fewer teachers applying for the Africa 2010 programme. No doubt due to the difficulties they are facing this year with reductions in pay and heavier workloads. Unfortunately, this has had a negative impact on Camara as we rely on the experience and skill sets which those in the teaching profession bring to our Africa programme every year. Building teams to send out to Africa is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, you need all the pieces for it to come together. Each team needs to have the right mix of skills to cover the needs of the training programme, from the IT professionals who can give their expertise in areas such as networking or programming and teaching professionals who can share their experience of the classroom to those who can pass on the computers skills they have been fortunate enough to learn through the benefit of their own education.

The deadline for applications has now been extended to 26th March to allow more time to find the right skills sets and build teams who can cover all the requests we have for courses in Africa. If you know of any teachers or those with a passion and commitment to teaching pass on the message that Camara needs them!

O.J. Simpson

Ciarán — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:04:00 +0000

A thoughtful colleague gave me a desk calendar at the start of the year with self-proclaimed ‘Stupid History’ entries on each day. Today’s was so enjoyable it’d be a crime not to share it…

O.J. Simpson was seriously considered to be the Terminator in the first movie (1984) but was eventually dismissed. The Reason- a studio executive said that:

“People would have never believed that a nice guy like O.J. could play the part of a ruthless killer”

Camara Kenya Launch

Web — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:37:26 +0000

Camara Kenya had their official launch on Thursday 12th November 2009 at their hub on the MITC Campus, Mombasa.
The launch was held to inform the Kenyan public about what we do and are able to do.
We also had an open day for the public to tour the hub and get to know us better.

The guest of Honor at the launch, was Mr Jim Barry-CEO NTR PLC. Mr Barry was accompanied by Mr Donal Tierney, Director of NTR PLC and CEO of Bimeda Holdings, PLC.

Mr Barry and Mr Tierney, toured the MITC campus,met with the principal, heads of departments and other dignitaries who had been invited. They both planted trees, and toured the Camara-Kenya hub.

At the speeches Mr Barry spoke about the importance of education and tecnnology transfer through ICT. I spoke about sustainable development, and our oldest current Volunteer, Mr Hassan (61yrs), spoke about how grateful he was to Camara. He can now repair his own computer, he is completely independent.

We then had a graduation and all the trainees who had undergone skill-builder training since August were awarded certificates, including Mr Hassan. All the 15 core volunteers were awarded with certificates of recognition for their hard work and continued support in bringing the project to where it is.

Entertainment was provided by A troupe of Giriama (a Bantu tribe on the
Kenya coast) traditional dancers, and acrobats.

Thanks to all was given by Mr Farid Ali, Camara Africa Technical Director.
Mr Barry thanked everyone and promised that when in Kenya…he
will always make a point to visit the hub.

Lastly I once again thank the entire Camara team and I also thank all
the Volunteers in Kenya. IT IS THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER SUPPORT THAT WE
HAVE REACHED HERE.

- Daudi, CEO, Kenya Hub, Mobasa

Camara NUIG Drop-off Hub Opens

Web — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:20:52 +0000

Camara NUIG is delighted to announce the opening of its drop-off hub in Galway.

If you have an old computer lying around, leave it into the Camara NUIG drop-off hub at Lower Newcastle Rd, beside the student AIB bank, on the first Wednesday of every month between 10am-4pm.

A donation of €20 is asked per computer, which goes towards the cost of sending the computers to Africa and maintaining the computer centres there. Camara NUIG has been set up with the support of NUI Galway and DERI Outreach Programme .

For more information, contact Deirdre on 091-495336 or email deirdre.lee@camara.ie.

Geldof vs. the Beep

Ciarán — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:22:27 +0000

Loving this

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8554298.stm

Like a lot of people I got interested in Development through Geldof, I think he’s very impressive here

Africa’10 Closing Extended

Hester — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:55:55 +0000

The application date for Africa 2010 has been extended to Friday March 05th!!! If you are interested in spending this summer in Africa training teachers in basic to advanced IT skills APPLY NOW. There is lots of information in the Get Involved section but if you would like to speak to someone about the programme call Hester (01)65 22 668. Camara are looking for people with a range of skills including teaching, pc maintenance, photography and blogging and more……

A bluffer’s guide to Basotho Sesotho for a non-Mosotho working in Lesotho

Ciarán — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:33:11 +0000

I’m doing a concept note for Lesotho at the moment. Learning how to describe anything has been a little confusing. If you’re ever writing about the place or just looking to impress please consult the following (though as always I could be wildly wrong)

1. A single person from Lesotho is Mosotho. (So for example Mark is Irish, Makhetha is Mostotho)

2. Multiple people from Lesotho are Basotho (Mark and David are Irish, Makhetha and John are Basotho)

3. The adjective is also Basotho (so the Basotho flag, the Basotho context etc)

4. The language is Sesotho

5. And as far as I can make out the word ‘Lesothian’ doesn’t exist.

McCallan appeals for Camara’s Race to Educate

Ciarán — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:02:56 +0000

Kyle McCallan, former captain of the Irish Cricket team and teacher and rugby coach at Grosvenor grammar school appeals today for 50 runners/walkers to join Camara in the ‘Race to Educate’ as they launch their campaign to recruit support for their fundraising through participation in this year’s Belfast City Marathon. At the launch outside Belfast City Hall today, Tuesday 23 February, at 4.00pm Kyle will be joined by prospective runners/walkers and Camara supporters.
Camara is an Irish charity which takes in used computers and refurbishes them for shipment and installation into village schools across Africa. In 2009 Camara sent more than 6700 computers to 400 schools in seven countries in sub Saharan Africa including Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda to equip them with computer labs for their educational needs. The Belfast workshop has contributed 1000 of those computers. For 2010 the target from Ireland is 12,000 computers with 1,500 coming from Belfast.
The charity aims to empower thousands of African children to improve their life chances and the prosperity of their local communities through education.
In his appeal Kyle McCallen said, “I am very pleased to support this charity. As a teacher I realise the power of education and know that education offers young people all over the world opportunities and ways out of poverty. Camara are trying to do something quite unique in ensuring that children in Africa are not left behind when it comes to technology and education.
I want to urge anyone considering the marathon this year who has not already signed up on behalf of a charity to support Camara. They have set a modest target of 50 people running or walking and each raising £200.00. It is a very achievable challenge for a very worthy charity. “
Springvale Learning, the main sponsor of Camara in Belfast, is intending to recruit a team from among staff and students in the centre. John Cooley Chairperson of Camara said “We are aiming to recruit 10 relay teams of 5 people and we welcome both runners and walkers. Participants will have entry fees covered and will receive a ‘Race to Educate’ t-shirt.”
Ann Fitzpatrick Project Coordinator with Camara added “We are encouraging companies and organisations with computers to avail for our green business solution and use Camara for your end of life computer solutions. Visit the Camara website www.camara.ie for more information.”

Contact: Ann Fitzpatrick, Camara, Unit 23 Townsend Enterprise Park, Belfast BT13 2ES
Tel: 90332470 Email: belfast@camara.ie

For more information on the Marathon entry procedures email belfast@camara.ie subject Belfast City Marathon or phone 02890332470.

Camara Kenya receive 1st shipment of 2010

Web — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 09:26:29 +0000

Dear All,

Camara-Kenya team would like to thank you all for making this
possible. You can enjoy the pictures showing the container
arrival and unpacking twenty minutes ago on Flickr

Daudi.
CEO, CAMARA EDUCATION LTD KENYA
LOCATION: MOMBASA DIGITAL HUB [MITC]
MOMBASA – MALINDI ROAD NEXT TO KRA SCHOOL
P.O. BOX 1039 GPO-80100
MOMBASA KENYA

Camara Kenya receive their latest shipment

THE ART OF GIVING

Ciarán — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:46:58 +0000

THE ART OF GIVING
Local Charities Camara and Food For Thought Africa launch partnership.

On Wednesday 17th February at 1.00pm Camara, the Irish Charity, will launch a new collection point at Food For Thought Africa’s African Art Gallery at 220 Lisburn Road where members of the public can drop off used computers.

Camara takes in used computers and refurbishes them for shipment and installation into village schools across Africa. In 2009 Camara sent more than 6700 computers to 400 schools in seven countries in sub Saharan Africa including Lesotho, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Rwanda to equip them with computer labs for their educational needs. The Belfast workshop has contributed 1000 of those computers. For 2010 the target from Ireland is 12,000 computers with 1,500 coming from Belfast.
The charity aims to empower thousands of African children to improve their life chances and the prosperity of their local communities through education. Camara Belfast is a Springvale Learning sponsored project.

Ann Fitzpatrick, Project Coordinator of Camara Belfast said
“We are very pleased to develop this partnership with Food For Thought Africa. Both organisations are working to enhance education opportunities for children in Kenya and Rwanda. The African Art Gallery is conveniently located and is open Tuesday to Saturday which will facilitate members of the public who wish to bring along a computer.”

Maeve Marnell from Food for Thought Africa said “We welcome the opportunity to develop this partnership with Camara. We run feeding programmes in schools in some of the poorest parts of Africa, encouraging the children to come to school and stay in school and giving them an opportunity to get themselves and their families out of poverty for good. We also provide secondary school scholarships as primary education in Kenya and Rwanda is free but secondary is not. Computer technology has really enhanced education here and we want to make sure children in Africa do not miss out. Therefore we are looking forward to working with Camara both here and in Africa. I want to encourage members of the public who would like to donate a computer to take advantage of our convenient location just opposite Tescos on the Lisburn Road. All suitable equipment will be used to enhance education in Africa.”

Contact Details
Camara
Ann Fitzpatrick
Unit 23 and 24, Townsend Enterprise Park, Townsend Street, Belfast BT13 2ES, Telephone 02890332470 or email ann.fitzpatrick@camara.ie or google us at
www.camara.ie

Food For Thought Africa
Maeve Marnell 07867780550
maevemarnell@hotmail.co.uk
The African Art Gallery, 220 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 5HG
www.foodforthoughtafrica.org