Computers 101

I am a writer upon inspiration, however, that does is not conducive to a blog that requires regular updates, so I must apologize if some seem more active than others, as I'm sure you will be able to quickly pick out the ones that were written when creativity was at a high. I'm afraid this one might not be one of them, but will try to hold your attention as best I can. I must admit part of this blog post is credited to Eric, who is diligently typing away next to me, and well, I must keep up. As I'm sure you've read, or will read, Eric's week has definitely been made by the physical games he has been able to introduce, and attempted to referee. Mine on the other hand, has been made by time we've spent working one on one with the students on the computers. There is something about the awestruck faces on the kids and their diligent practice on the keyboards that makes my heart swell as they discover the wonder that is a computer.

We started off our first group class by taking a picture and video of them from the computer, as we have a built in camera on the screen. The way they react when they are staring back at themselves through the screen and the silly faces they make when the computer camera captures them is quite the spectacle. It only continues to get better when it is their turn to practice typing. They look at you, look at the computer, break out into big smiles, and then hesitantly brings their hands closer to the keyboard, as if they aren't quite sure what the computer will do once it is under their control

We teach typing the way we were taught- and the correct way- by starting with the basic "home keys"- asdf jkl;. Boy, if I had a nickel every time I repeated that sequence out loud..... anyway, we explain to them that if they are going to learn how to type, they are going to learn correctly and pecking like a kuku (chicken) in unacceptable. The students skills range from future typists to those who are still struggling to grasp the concept of placing your fingers over the keys without pressing down. I learned from the lessons I taught last year that patience and determination is the only way to make it through the first few days. It is humbling to watch someone struggle with something that has been such a focal point of my life for many years now. While I may not be able to understand why they aren't understanding the basic keyboard functions, I must constantly remind myself of what a privilege it is that I not only have a working knowledge of a computer, but have also had one at my disposal since I was a kid.

Sometimes I try to step back and put myself in their shoes and wonder what they must think of this mzungu coming in with this machine that can fit in my bag, that is capable of so many things, and how overwhelming it must be for them. I simply cannot. So, with that in mind, I take my time with each student and worry not so much about having every student get on the same page at the end of every lesson, but instead meet them where they are at and go at their own pace.

Eric and I have had many conversations about our work here at Hamomi, our goals, and in general, what we hope to accomplish while we are here. While our conversations vary greatly, we both agree that at the end of the day, we want to leave here having done something to improve their situation and to give them something they did not have before we came. While sometime I struggle with justifying our work with computers- as they have many more immediate needs, like hole-free socks- I am quickly reminded and comforted with the understanding that any knowledge we bring them is knowledge they can continue to use and develop long after we are gone. I think back to the Class 8, now Form 1 boys, I worked with last year. When I first started, not a single one of them knew what the Internet was, and after a three short weeks, they were all emailing like pros. And even after I left, I continued to receive emails from them, thanks to the other volunteer who carried on the cyber cafe visits while she was still there. I was still further amazed when I received Facebook friend requests from those same boys just this past summer.

 So, for any nay sayers out there, myself included at times, who may think that computer classes are frivolous, I will confidently say that anything we are doing to advance these kids understanding of the world around them, and the world outside of the slum area, is only furthering their chances of improving their situation and becoming something more than they, or even we, could possibly imagine.