IESC Zambia: Week One

“Education is the key to success, education is the key to success,” chanted Hazel, the soft spoken but very determined 12^th-grade head student during a student performance at the inauguration of the computer lab at Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School.

The chant made us reflect on what lay ahead of us after a three-day journey that took us from the US and Singapore to this remote part of southern Zambia. We, the team of Intel volunteers consisting of John Parks (SSG), MJ Helgerson (SMG), Kandi Collier (TMG), Tim Lohman (FES), and Bernd Nordhausen (SMG) were at the start of a two-week assignment of the Intel Education Service Corps program to work with World Vision, Zambia to set up a new computer lab with Intel-powered classmate PCs and to train teachers and students.

Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School is located in a remote area of the Kalomo District in southern Zambia. About 2 hours by car from the nearest town of Choma over mainly unpaved dusty roads, cut off at times during the rainy season, this high school was funded through the amazing efforts of Austin Gutwein, the son of Intel employee Dan Gutwein (ECG). Austin founded Hoops of Hope, a US-based fund raising organization, at the tender age of 9 in 2004. Over the years, the efforts of this teenager have raised over 2.5 million dollars which have been used to fund, among other efforts, this school in Zambia and the new computer lab.

Building a computer lab at this only high school within a 50-mile radius presented unique challenges: rudimentary buildings, no mobile phone coverage, and, most critical, no access to electricity. Yet, through the ingenuity of World Vision Zambia and the fund-raising efforts of Hoops of Hope, we were now watching Austin cut the ribbon of the brightly orange painted former shipping container that now holds part of the key to success for the students of Jonathan Sim-Chikanta High School.

Austin’s father had approached Bernd a year ago to help design a fully solar-powered computer lab. With solar power, every watt of energy consumption saved results in hundreds of dollars in savings in solar equipment cost. Thus, we chose every piece of equipment in this lab carefully to consume the least amount of energy while providing maximum educational benefits.

Starting with the Intel-powered classmate PCs and the ULV (ultra low voltage) teacher laptops, we included a pico-projector and wireless access points that can run on the 12 volt DC (direct current) power that solar deployments produce. We installed energy efficient DC ceiling fans to provide cooling during the hot summer days, and energy saving lights to offer an opportunity to use the lab at night.

As there is no mobile phone coverage, Internet connection was not feasible (at least not for the moment), so we included the eGranary, an off-line digital library containing over 30,000 documents including Wikipedia and the Khan Academy educational videos.

These provide the students the look and feel of the internet without actual internet connectivity. We also were able to include the localized version of skoool (skoool.co.zm), to provide science and math content catered specifically towards the Zambian curriculum.

After the inauguration, our trainers MJ and Kandi started to train students and teachers, while Tim and I concentrated on configuring the PCs, and training the administrators to sustain the computer lab after we leave. JP (John Parks) held informal lessons outside of the lab and took the head teacher, Luke, under his wings to train him away from the watchful eyes of the students.

Great Article from Vermont!

Dozens Of Students Shoot Hoops Of Hope

Basketball Event Raises Money For African Orphans With HIV/AIDS

POSTED: 12:49 pm EDT April 2, 2011
UPDATED: 4:33 pm EDT April 2, 2011

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WILLISTON, Vt. -- Close to 60 middle and high school students from across the Champlain Valley shot thousands of free throws to support Hoops Of Hope, a non-profit organization that helps orphans in Africa dealing with HIV/AIDS.
Eighth grader Sammi Harvey wasn't just shooting to hone her skills, she was excited to give back to charity.
"It means a lot that I can do what I love to do -- play basketball and help out for this foundation," Harvey said.
The shooting session took place at the Allen Brook School in Williston and Milton Elementary School. Hoops Of Hope was started by a 10-year-old, Austin Gutwein from Arizona in 2004. Athletes raise donations from family members and neighbors and then play basketball to support the needs of children throughout Africa.
"Part of the motto is do something bigger than yourself," organizer Joel Desautels said. "And we can all give a little bit back."
From years past, the money has gone to building everything from a high school to medical labs in Africa.
"I've always wanted to go and do missionary work, but I know that I'm too young and I can't do that. So just this way i'm also doing that and being a part of it," Rice Memorial freshman Gemma Cirignanno said.
If you would like to support this cause, you can go to www.hoopsofhope.org or make a donation through pt360coop.com.
Copyright 2011 by WPTZ.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Interview at Crystal Cathedral

Interview with Austin Gutwein - 2146 from Crystal Cathedral Ministries on Vimeo.

Survey Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in the retailer survey. Here are some of the highlights:

92% of shoppers are influenced to shop in a store that is involved in charitable giving.

Only 22% of people under 35 know if their favorite store is involved in charitable giving.

56% of respondents will purchase a lesser quality good if it is involved in charitable giving.

78% of respondents are aware of TOMS Shoes. 4 years ago, TOMS did not exist yet they were recently rated as the #6 most innovative retail company per Fast Company.

34% of respondents had purchased a pair of TOMS Shoes. Of these 34%, 56% had purchased two or more pairs.

There is a different way to reach our generation than there is to reach the generation of our parents. We want to be associated with companies doing good.

austin

Swimming for Clean Water

Check out this recent video of Erick Skaff who swam 10 miles to represent and raise money for clean water projects. Erick said he came up with the idea after reading "Take Your Best Shot". We're proud of you Erick! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of so many.

End of Year Letter

Dear Friends of Hoops of Hope,

As another year comes to a close, we’re, once again, amazed by the amount of compassion you’ve shown to the “least of these”. I often smile when I think about the thousands of volunteers who helped to pull off more than 100 Hoops of Hope events this year in 12 countries. I’m humbled when I think of the tens of thousands of donors that helped us fund so many projects. And, I’m amazed by the tens of thousands of participants who shot countless free throws to represent children who have lost their parents. I count serving on the board at Hoops of Hope one of the greatest privileges I could ever imagine.

This past June, we traveled with a team of 17 to southern Zambia to witness the opening of four new dormitories at the school, as well as a clinic and testing facility nearby. There are no words to express the joy of the students sleeping in a dorm for the first time, or the patients receiving treatment that will save their life. All I can say is “thank you” for being a part of Hoops of Hope.

In 2010, your efforts were able to partially fund a dormitory at a the Huruma Children’s Home in Kenya; fully fund two additional teacher houses and a computer lab at the school in Zambia, as well fully fund two deep water wells. In March of this year, we held an auction which generated enough administrative funding to fully fund all administrative costs through the end of 2011. Once again, this means that every penny raised from the Hoops of Hope events around the world will go directly to children.

I’m looking forward to 2011 and working with you again to make a difference in the lives of children who have been orphaned by AIDS. Why? Because there are so many things left to do. The life expectancy in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa is still less than 40 years old. There are still so many who do not have access to clean water, food, healthcare and an education. We’ll continue to help as long as we can and hope you’ll join us again in 2011.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Dan
Board of Directors [Volunteer]

World AIDS Day 2010

As most of you may already know, yesterday was World AIDS Day, a date that is very near to the heart of the Hoops of Hope team, participants, hosts, volunteers, donors, and partners. Because the UN estimates that every 14 seconds a child loses a parent to HIV/AIDS, we work toward helping in an area of our world most devastatingly affected by the AIDS pandemic. Donations received at events all around the globe go toward helping ease the pain of living in such an area. Orphans are getting much needed assistance and education, and even more exciting, some children now even get to have their parents around longer because of the medication they now receive to treat their disease!

This past June I had a chance to travel to Zambia with the rest of the Hoops of Hope team. While there, we visited a High School and a medical clinic, both of which were paid for with Hoops of Hope donations. I could tell you story after story of how lives have been changed, and how the people in those areas have benefited from individuals who set aside time and put forth the effort to care for them by shooting some free throws.

There’s one story in particular that I'd like to share with you in light of World AIDS Day. It's about a 10 year old boy named Orlando. I got to visit him in his home where he lives with his grandma and 3 brothers because his parents both died from HIV/AIDS. Orlando also has AIDS. He told me that not long ago he thought he would die. He couldn't get out of bed from being so sick, and his grandma confirmed with tears in her eyes that they had given up hope. Then the clinic that Hoops of Hope funds built opened, and it was near enough to his home for him to get to. There he received medication and care that has allowed him to live a "regular" life. You would hardly know by looking at him that he's sick. He goes to school, helps around the house, and even plays soccer with his friends! When he looked me in the eyes and said "Thank you for giving me my life" I told him it wasn't me, but many people around the globe who care. It was hard to leave Orlando that day, but as I left I promised him that I would tell his story and would be sure to thank his true heroes for him. That's probably you if you are reading this… anyone who has ever hosted, participated in, given to, volunteered for, prayed for, or supported a Hoops of Hope event in any way.

To those of you hosting events this month in recognition of World AIDS Day, thank you. You are making a huge impact in the lives of people you may never have an opportunity to meet, but that are thankful to YOU for giving them life.