UDS’ training
in use of computers and of the internet is mainly aimed at students and
schoolchildren. To maximise the use of our limited space, sessions are
organised in two-hour slots across a 12-hour day – covering different groups
including primary school children, secondary school children of different age
groups and university students.
But it
doesn’t stop there. Two of UDS’ regular trainees are a long time out of school,
but still appreciate the need to acquire and upgrade their IT skills.
 |
| Sam Kabanda |
Sam Kabanda,
interestingly, is an administrator with another charity working in Uganda.
Helping Hands
is a charity concerned with the welfare of children in Uganda. In his work, he
has to communicate with many different people and organisations, so Sam decided,
at the age of 60, that he needed to improve his computer and internet skills to
do this. And he came to UDS for help.
Sam feels
it’s unfair to ask others to type up reports, minutes of meetings and so forth
for him so he’s now studying Microsoft Word and Excel in addition to leaning general
computer and internet skills. It’s not all plain sailing though. Sam says the
frequent power cuts often disrupt training sessions, and he wished he had his
own computer to practise on.
 |
| Robert Okwir |
Robert Okwir
is 53, and deputy head of a girls’ primary school. Back in 2009 he realised
that his lack of computer skills were hindering his work. So he also signed up for the UDS training
scheme and can now type, use Microsoft Word and Excel, and knows his way round
the internet. He says he can now work from home, using his own computer – and he’s
still learning.
If you would like to help Sam, Robert and our other computer trainees – make a donation specifically to this project via Just Giving. We have in the past relied on donated computer equipment from the UK, but unfortunately two years ago the Ugandan government changed their policy on importing of second hand computer equipment. Until such time they realise that this policy is seriously preventing growth in this area we have to buy all equipment now. Donate now and help us train more people with this much needed skill.
