Giakonda empowers Rusangu pupils to success at JETS

A busy month

Thanks to a legacy from our founder, Howard Kirkman, we were able to supply solar power to Makkaba Primary School using the expertise of Muhunya Solar.

The teaching team held two physical computing training courses, this time in Monze and Siavonga. It was inspirational to see some of the projects undertaken by the pupils of teachers who attended.

Welcome new partner

We are pleased to be working with a new District Education Board Secretary in Siavonga. Mr Moses Mang’ambata took up his role this term.

We met up with him via Zoom yesterday with the intention of renewing our strong links with the district. He will be advising us which schools need our help so that we can plan future projects together.

Tribute to Howard Kirkman

From Education in Zambia Magazine a very fitting tribute to our founder, Howard.

Read the whole article below.

E-magazine Issue 14 – 4.7MB

Siavonga Here we Come

Click here for Team video

Successful training at Choma

To the entire Giakonda Solar Schools team,
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for hosting and facilitating the highly successful training in physical computing. Your dedication to empowering educators and students with cutting-edge skills is truly commendable.
The expert guidance, hands-on sessions, and interactive learning environment made the training an enriching experience. Your commitment to bridging the digital divide and promoting sustainable education is inspiring.

Thank you for:
- Providing top-notch training facilities and resources.
- Assembling a knowledgeable and passionate training team.
- Fostering a collaborative atmosphere among participants.
We appreciate your tireless efforts and look forward to future collaborations.
Sincerely,
COSTAZ Chairperson Chibubi. C

Conferences and a Summit

We’ve an exciting few days ahead with physical computing conferences in Choma and Siavonga and a Hub Cymru Africa Summit in Cardiff.
The team is raring to go as you can see.

Thanks to Francis, Farai and Macloud for sharing your teaching expertise and to Bridget and Ben for organising refreshments and logistics.
Meanwhile I’m preparing for the summit by sorting some textiles to display.

JETS

We are delighted to see Farai chosen to demonstrate plant irrigation using Raspberry Pi at this years JETS fair. Good luck Farai!

The Junior Engineers, Technicians Scientists (JETS) National Fair has become a prestigious and high-profile event in the Zambian school calendar.
Read more here

Update from Chizilika

Since the installation of solar power and set up of computers at Chizilika School , 2 female and 4 male teachers have been regularly using them, particularly for typing documents and printing. The school has devised a rota so that all 370 pupils (157 boys and 213 girls) get hands on experience of using a computer.

The learning resource, RACHEL, is working well and accessible at all times from the head’s office via wifi devices like the school laptop and teachers’ smartphones. Teachers use RACHEL via the TV to teach children who especially enjoy educational cartoons and colourful resources.Five members of the local community are attending computer lessons delivered outside school time by the head teacher.

The school has designated a teacher to clean the solar panels regularly and monitor the system, aided by “five big learners”.

Mr Phiri summed up by saying, “The project has made our lives easy and planning is so easy for teachers because we have RACHEL and computers plus the printer. The community is helped with charging phones, RACHEL and computer lessons. Learners are now doing hands on unlike abstract way. Examination classes come to study at night because we have power.”

Keep on computing with Raspberry Pi Pico

We continue to support recent attendees of our courses in Choma and Monze. Francis produced this video for them to emulate the heartbeat. Follow this link to see it on our YouTube channel.