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At the End of 2002 VDO donated the first computers centre (with three computers) to a rural school thanks to the support of Adrienne Finch and Ros Earl (nee Finch). The Centre was dedicated to the memory of Andrew Finch. The support of the Finch family has continued without interruption making possible today three computers centres in rural schools of Ecuador.
At the end of 2007, five years later, the "Andrew Finch Education Trust, AFET" gained charitable status in the UK. It is entirely dedicated to supporting VDO projects, especially the computers centres.
Also, AFET members and friends are keen supporters of the childrens’ library, the medical fund, the housing fund and the volcano emergency fund. The main fundraising event of the AFET is the selling of Christmas cards designed by school children in Ecuador.
Volunteers have an important work in the centres teaching basic concepts to children and adults.
Next you can read the official report about the centres for the second semester 2009:
1.1 GENERAL OVERVIEW
1.1.1. This semester we worked directly in two centres. The main Centre is located in Techo Propio, Ambato, in the house of the Cooperative. Techo Propio. It is now a well founded project and it has been decided that we will make initial plans for two years extendable for up to five years.
1.1.3 The other centre is located in the School in Sangolqui, (near Quito). It was visited by Adrienne Finch in September. There is now a local co-ordinator.
1.1.4. A third proposed centre is located in the Oriente, Amazon region, at the Misahualli (Tena). School. They have shown great interest and visits have been made in previous semesters. There is good communication and some help has been given. This semester there was an interesting cultural exchange with the Techo Propio school. 62 children and about 20 adults traveled on two coaches. Football games and swimming was enjoyed by most. The culture in the Amazon region is very different to that of the Andean region and it might be of interest to foreign volunteers. The help to this school will be increased in January 2010. It has 254 students.
1.2 REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
1.2.1 Numbers. The Techo Propio School has 125 students of whom 70 received classes in the Andrew Finch Computer Centre. Nine short courses were given to 30 children and 50 adults from the community.
The school in Sangolqui has 105 children and all received classes in their Centre.
1.2.2 Centres, Computers
1.2.2.1 During this semester three computers and one printer were donated to the Andrew Finch Education centre in Techo Propio. It now has six computers, one printer and one scanner, all donated by AFET. It is intended to buy two more at the beginning of next year. With the amount of use they have from both adults and children, who all enthusiastically participate in the courses, a good replacement plan will be needed. The summer and night courses were delivered by Gonzalo and Maria Teresa. Four teenagers and one adult have shown great interest in helping with the courses next semester.
Also in Techo Propio, classes to school students has been given by a school computer teacher paid by the government, one day per week. There are many weeks this teacher does not work. Therefore additional classes have been guven by Maria Teresa and Gonzalo to the students in the last three grades. For next semester one of the local volunteers can continue with these classes.
1.2.2.2 The Andrew Finch Computer Centre in Sangolqui has five computers, four from the government and one donated by AFET, and one printer (not working). Four computers are connected to the Internet thanks to a government program. The Centre has a teacher for computer classes, one day a week, paid by the government.. As in other schools there are many weeks this teacher does not work. The school director found a university student who is helping with complementary classes in computing, especially to the students in last year of secondary school. He is now a local co-ordinator who is receiving financial support from AFET.
1.2.2.3 In the Misahualli school there are now three computers and one printer donated by the parents. There is a computer teacher paid by the government, a grant for maintenance, consumables, payment of energy bills and some teaching material. They are applying for more computers from the government, but nothing is certain. They will apply to VDO if they need help.
1.2.2.4 Computers at the Office in Ambato. There are two computers both connected to the Internet. Two or three days a week secondary school children from El Porvenir-Acapulco come use the internet to do research requested by teachers. Electricity cuts have caused problems.
1.2.3 Courses
1.2.3.1 In Techo Propio activities started early July with summer courses for children and adults. From early July to early September 9 short courses took place, each course of 20 hours duration, three weeks in length. We had three courses per day, two for children and young, one for adults.
1.2.3.2. In September, October and November the night course for adults continued and starting October the school children received classes two days a week.
Most of courses were about basic concepts in computing and programs such as Word, Power Point and Excel. There were also more advanced courses in typing, better knowledge of the computer and other programs for painting and design. One art course was run, where children received classes in watercolor and drawings and some exercises on the computer.
1.2.3.3 In Sangolqui the local coordinator is helping to improve the skills of children in the use of the computer and the program Word. We are working with them on Saturdays via the Internet.
1.2.5 Other help to schools
1.2.5.1 There are basic shortages in the Techo Propio school’s construction as was seen by the visitors in September. The Principal has been applying to the authorities for this money hoping it would come but now has sent a budget to us. They already have the items for the lavatories but still need the doors and windows. They also need some furniture and items for the playground.
1.2.5.2 This semester we found it impossible to support the ‘pen friends’ projects because of shortage of time and the establishment of the new project took most of our energy. Children in Sangolqui School want to continue. We have explained about this project to teachers and parents in Techo Propio and they want to start in January. We really would like to continue the correspondence with Knaphill Lower School. Other former volunteers working in other schools in England have also shown interest.
1.2.5.3 A new initiative in schools is now giving good experience. Children are electing a “children´s government”. The elected council has the aim of promoting cultural and improvement projects. In the Misahualli school in the Oriente, the student council is promoting a native dancing group and a greenhouse. To help with such projects could be a good destination of money sent by children in England.
1.2.6 Other activities
1.2.6.1 The visit of AFET representatives in September was a very important event for us, the schools and communities. It was important to Maria Teresa and I to have the festival in memory of Andrew Finch, a way to express our sincere gratitude for all the help received.
1.2.6.2 Recently, a great School Journey was funded by a Christmas donation from the Happy Gringo Travel Agency (director John Potts, a friend of Andrew’s). Most children of the school of Techo Propio visited the School of Misahualli in the Oriente
1.2.7 Secondary school expenses
This fund is new, and is needed because some of the sponsored children have now gone on to secondary school and there are other children, including siblings, whose parents are struggling with the expense involved. (The actual education is free, but the ancillary costs of uniform, stationery & books, fares etc is substantial). It is hoped to find suitable secondary school pupils who will help with the work in the centres and the library, and in helping the directors, in exchange for assistance with their school expenses.
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Adrienne Finch in the Centre in Sangolqui school |
Director and Maria Teresa in future Centre in Misahuallii school |
Volunteer teaching to Children in Centre in Techo Propio |
Children in Centre in Sangolqui school |
Sponsors visiting the Centre in Techo Propio |
Adults learning basic computing in Centre in Techo Propio |
Drawing contest for the Christmas card |
Drawing contest for the Christmas card
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