In July, my friend Paul Lemieux and I made a return trip to the Maranatha Schools in Mityana, Uganda. This time our mission was to install a computer lab where secondary kids can learn basic typing and computer skills, and begin to use the Internet as a resource.

The Maranatha schools provide much needed services for their boarding and day students. Most come from very humble—even primitive—homes, and for many, the regular meals of maize “porridge” and beans are all they have.

You’d never know it from observing the kids—they’re clean, well-fed, and as quick to sing, dance and play as kids anywhere.

Day One

Our work begins with what turned out to be the most grueling task: shopping for network gear in Kampala. We brought the lighter items from the US, but needed some Uganda-spec equipment best bought in-country.

There are some lovely areas in Kampala--mostly up on the hills. The business district is hot, with air a mix of dust and vehicle exhaust. Traffic is thick and very fast—you take your life in your hands just crossing the street.

There is no Best Buy, but there is a “Technology Row” of confusingly similar shops on Kampala Road. Bargaining is spirited (we would say rude) but you can get what you need. Prices quoted Americans are hyper-inflated.

Stanford grad student intern Rugaba “Ru” Kanani was invaluable here and throughout our trip!

Day Two

The school had set aside the ideal room: perfect size at about 15’ x 20’ with electric power, adequate ventilation and two large tables.

Previous attempts to introduce computers at the school were thwarted by the spiky and intermittent power typical of rural Uganda. Lightning strikes fried computers, chargers and other gear.

Our Kampala purchases included a heavy-duty voltage regulator (220AC in 110AC out) and APU with additional surge-protection and battery back-up for the components that don't have batteries.

We took particular care to secure wiring out of sight and out of reach.

The computers, recent vintage Dell laptops, were donated by Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago. Special thanks is due partner Steve Patton for taking an interest in KidsUganda and making this project possible.

Laptops were a natural choice: they have built-in battery back-up and keyboard dust protection—and they’re portable by design. We were able to get 15 units with chargers and other gear to Uganda without paying additional shipping costs. Thanks to the Anderson family of Lake Bluff for lugging six of them on their recent trip!

We brought cat 5 cable and plugs with us since we didn’t know what lengths we’d need. Turned out we had just enough—about 4 feet left from a 100’ roll!

Day Three

There clearly was some buzz around the school about what these foreigners were doing—we had quiet and respectful watchers as we wired and set-up the room.

We brought cable locks from the US—these work very well and are a breeze to install.

I confess it was kind of a tense moment when we plugged in and powered up the gear—followed by the happy sound of 13 laptops launching windows. We giggled like little kids.

Day Four

I wanted to get some pictures of students working on the computers, though classes won’t start until next term. We didn’t have to stage these pictures—we just let the kids in and stood back.

Uganda is leap-frogging—jumping right from the 19th to the 21st century, and there is tremendous demand for technical training and access to the Internet. Many (seems like all) Ugandans have email addresses, but few have regular access to a computer.

The shot below was of course staged, but the emotion is genuine—the kids are delighted with the new lab, and with the new courses it makes possible. Computer skills and a command of office applications are a vital escape route from the general poverty of country life in Uganda. Maranatha Vocational School can now prepare its kids to grow into a much more promising future.

Other KidsUganda Projects

A highlight of this trip was meeting the kids we’re sponsoring through KidsUganda. Here I am with Rose Nakazzi, a Primary Two student, who said “I have a sponsor?!” then ran up to me and gave me a big hug—that made the whole trip for me.

Sponsoring a child is easy and one of the best charity deals around—a whole year’s tuition, room (if needed), meals, and medical care is only $300. Find out more at www.kidsuganda.com.

Girls’ Dormitory

I also got to see the new girls’ dorm for the first time, and I have to say, what an accomplishment! It was funded by KidsUganda through individual donations, and it’s now a safe and clean home for 84 girls (many of whom are orphans with no other home). Kudos to Jodie Nedeau of Lake Bluff, who was unstoppable in getting it built.

The dorm has running water with showers and flush toilets. It’s bright and well ventilated, and has solar lights that kick in when the grid is down.

Farming Projects

KidsUganda is also active in farming projects supporting the Maranatha schools. These include funding the start-up of a successful poultry enterprise that provides eggs—and their much needed protein—to supplement the kids’ diet.

And, we're helping develop a farm on donated land in nearby Busere. It's already producing maize, cabbages and sweet potatoes, and it has a growing livestock herd.