INTRODUCTION
The activities run by the computer lab took place but with many interruptions. The rains were the main disturbing factor that caused some of the classes not to take place especially for afternoon classes which were most affected as it became impossible to continue teaching while it was raining because of the iron sheets that produced a lot of noise.
As a result of the heavy rains that poured time to time, solar energy was disturbed as well. Lack of solar energy calls for fuel purchasing as the batteries could not charge.
The other substantial problem is that the computers are infected with a strong virus which has affected computer operation. This virus problem started the time Alyssa visited Kala from Mwange. Please, let Stephanie come with the strong anti virus to clean computers without fail as she comes to Kala February. Otherwise, the equipments are functioning well.
STATISTICS / INDICATORS
Almost all the classes had poor attendance in December due to Christmas and New Year break. Many students left the camp before vacation week in search for piece works to raise money for Christmas and New Year such that on very few occasions. Classes like Swahili class 1 had no students at all.
STATISTICS / INDICATORS REPATRIATION CLASSES
During December 2008, short and intense classes went on smoothly where students who repatriated got trained in general computer operation like turning on and off of computer, typing knowledge, some application programs were also taught to them like Microsoft Word where they learnt editing and different other commands and Excel were they learnt how to enter formulas and perform very simple calculations. 135 Women and 100 men were trained
CLASS GRADUATION / CURRENT ENROLLMENT
Classes that were supposed to graduate like Swahili class 1 did not make it because of other reasons that have already been stated so these classes will be combined with those classes that have good attendance instead of canceling them completely.
SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEMS / ISSUES
As a result of solar power insufficiency and shortages, certain classes have unfortunately more theoretical knowledge about computer education which basically needs to be combined with practical computer operation for a better understanding.
As such, if a budget is not increased for such kind of classes, FORGE will in future see students who went through computer education incompetent to operate computers because these student did not have adequate resources to make their learning environment conducive.
REQUESTS / WISHES
There is need for additional funding under KCCTC project as solar energy is not strong to power computers in Luapula province of Zambia. In reality, solar power is only able to supply charging power to few computers. A good amount of money should be used to purchase fuel so that classes should stop prolonging as there can be regular learning.
Another option to solve this power crisis would be purchasing batteries for all the computers that have no batteries in Kala so that these computers can be un plugged when they are fully charged to give solar panels enough time for charging during the day. Mwange computer centre has no problems with power as their computers have batteries which keep power therefore, entailing that these computers don’t need charging the whole day.
