SOLOY Community Technology
& Learning Center Current Programs

Students from Soloy High School

Classes are given to the students at Soly High School in grades 8 – 12. There are approximately 500 students that use the computer lab for class twice a week. Professors at times assign research projects in the lab now. Students come in for class research and also enjoy free access to the computers when their work is done. Every moment that the students have free, they come in to use the internet and do not even realize the hours have passed until I tell them. Then they look up, laught, and get up to leave.

Teacher Training

Ngobe-Bugle children's teachers have attended teacher training sponsored by FUNDESCU and the Mona Foundation. Approved by the Ngobe-Bugle Institute Council and the only courses accredited by the Ministry of Education, Mona provided computer, mathematics and English instruction.

The teachers have been excited to receive their own email addresses, send email, and chose a weighty research topic to investigate, “globalization and its impact on Indigenous cultures.” Several participants offered comments. Alexi shared, “It was like a miracle to me.” Martire said, “This is a tool that can stimulate the development of the entire population of the Comarca. It helps us to realize our highest potential of knowledge.” Victorino offered, “This technology center is an open window to the world of knowledge for our noble homeland.”

In 2006 a twenty-two hour course in accounting was given. this enabled all to understand the uses of the Excel® software much better.

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The Community is Also Connected

The SOLOY computer lab is well used by the community. In 2006 fifteen courses for forty hour's duration each were given to community members. The participants are permitted to receive Minitry of Education credit, if they wish to pay a small additional cost for the certificate.

Internet Cafe

The first Internet cafe was opened to the community for $1 per hour for email use. This has been actively used by the community and the funds of about $50 per month help to maintain the computer lab.

Unlimited Potential Curriculum

In 2006 the Microsoft® unlimited Potential Curriculum® was received. It is very complete and the reading level is advanced, but those taking it are adapting well.

Women Take Classes

In 2006 women started taking the computer courses. The women have no money to pay so these courses are offered without cost. This special group received six courses this past year. The first course began with fifteen women. In the beginning they are learning to write letters. Some women are promoters of projects sponsored by the Ministry of Development, and they are learning how to write their reports. Those who have the need to communicate tend to be the most persistent. Several interesting observations have been made as problems come up and solutions are found.

When the women complained that they could not see the screen, that the letters were too small or blurry, the solution was to buy reading glasses and lend them to the women when they came to class. It resolved the problem.

Women who had not finished ninth grade had some difficulty with the advanced courses and experiments are being tried in giving them the instructions verbally rather than with books.

Rain can be a significant problem as there are torrential downpours at times during the year, so we wait until the dry season to continue study.

At times women could not come because the time required to do their domestic duties did not allow for long class schedules. We learned to offer courses for two hours at a time and in the afternoon during the dry seasons.

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