PAIPIR
PRIMARY
Boasting over 30 laptops, the Paipir Computer Lab is a source of pride for many at the primary school. Unique to the region, this lab allows for both students and staff to develop keen computer skills—an increasingly valuable asset in today’s workforce.
In a typical day, a primary -level class will work on basic computer skills. Students learn typing skills, are introduced to basic computer programs such as Microsoft Office, and gain basic computer comprehension. The benefits of the lab do not end there. In the evenings, adults in the community attend classes and develop their own computer skills. The Paipir Computer Lab provides computer education to many people beyond the school.
Power to Paipir
Electricity is intermittent in northern Uganda. As power shuts off, so does the computer lab. The unpredictability is not ideal when hundreds of students are looking to learn computer skills. A sustainable solution was proposed: solar panels. Often used as an alternate power source in Uganda, solar panels provide a long-term solution to the sporadic power.
The “Power to Paipir” campaign ran over the course of a year. In August 2015, enough funds had been raised to install enough solar panels to power the entire school. Blackouts no longer threaten the functionality of the lab. Now, students have access to the lab regardless of the state of the power grid.
Building the Lab
In July 2014, 30 laptops were delivered to the large primary school and set up in what is now the school’s computer lab. The large, new, open room sits in the center of the school’s campus. Teachers were taught how to care for and use the laptops, and the lab was open for students in no time.
For months leading up to this, a volunteer-driven call for computers collected the two-dozen donated laptops, including a large donation from Concordia University, in Montreal.
