After four weeks of trying to raise noise on the principal, deputy principal, head of department (Mbogo), and another computer teacher (Simon) about using my technology skills, and put me in the computer lab to improve it. I was a little (well maybe not little, but very) frustrated on their ignoring me. Mbogo is hardly around anyway, even when its during school hours. Simon is new to the school, so being a Kenyan, he seem to want to follow the chain of command "culture" (meaning if not told to do so, then do not do so).
So, one day, I simply decided to take matters into my own hands, and started to move some computers around. Simon joined me immediately and worked with me throughout the project. Mbogo noticed some activity, and walked in and tried to "direct us" but we simply ignored him. There were so many old CRTs (they got enough flat panels), old computers that I know are not worth keeping at all, but yet they kept it for years.
I taught them "eye candy" term, meaning when visitors come in to see the lab, they may think keeping all the equipment have their "shock value" or "awe value". It seem to work for them because most of their visitors have no clue about anything, especially that so many computers did not have any power to begin with.
I also asked the principal and Mbogo where I could put the old CRTs and stuff that, as I explained, I would "encourage" thieves to steal, which is really more of "free labor" and "free disposal" for me. All good stuff will remain in the lab. But they seem not able to find any space. So, again I took my own liberty and chose the so-called KSL office (not even one piece of anything is in it, except for broken chair, table with no tabletop, and one shelves) and dumped all the CRTs and old computers. The principal and Mbogo did not like it, and said that would be temporary (sure yeah right whatever), but of course they could not tell me to haul them all back in to the lab since they loved the new makeover.
Before: 10-12 desktop computers hooked but no power, and about 10 computers still in their boxes Tables and chairs all over the place, and only 4 working computers but infected with viruses and many unnecessary software, drowning them into near-standstill. Getting around the lab is a challenge with lot of walking sideways around the table edges. Not shown in the picture, above the shelf on the wall, there were like 20 old CRT monitors, along with some junk.
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| Amanda Herrell, previous PCV that I replaced. |
After: All 20 desktop computers hooked and plugged into power. Arranged all against the walls, and the middle table used for student study space with books and paper. Teacher can teach class, then class can turn around and work on their computers. All computers refreshed, so they hum well.
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| Simon Kaiga (computer teacher) and Mbogo (head of department of one staff) |
Working on now: Setting up simple peer-to-peer networking on all computers, and having all computers save their files on one master computer for backups, sharing printer from it as well. Will set up user id and password for all teachers and maybe single one for all students so teachers can protect their files, especially exams, from students prying eyes.
When I requested a meeting with Mbogo and Simon, Mbogo appear to try to set a meeting with the principal, which was cancelled due to other conflicts, so rather than waiting around, I kept asking Mbogo to have a meeting with just the three of us so that we all are on the same page. Mbogo kept himself invisible for several days and I finally held his hand not letting it go during our greetings (Kenyans always greet by shaking hands every morning), asking when are we going to have our meeting. So finally we had our meeting. I asked Mbogo to explain his plans, and whether he thought the lab (after makeover) is all finished. He answered that he thought it was finished, and wanted to discuss about covers for these computers. Sigh. Then I handed him the project plan that I typed up quickly earlier, and of course he s--t in his pants. Naturally he agreed to everything listed. He asked for a copy for himself, and one for him to give to the principal and explain the project himself (of course let him get the credit).
But then of course, as Mdogo was doing his vanishing magic trick, the principal decided, spontaneously, to come in the computer lab. Fortunately Simon and I were in there chatting. She was very surprised with the makeover, and we started to talk. I handed her my copy of the project plan (chuckling because I end up showing it to her instead of Mbogo). We all talked about each task, and she suggested some more tasks to add to the plan, making it about 16 tasks. They include, but not limited to, additional training for teachers, web site makeover, etc.
So I am very pleased how things turn out, even though it took me 4 weeks to make something happen that required only two days. Simon and I work quite well together, and we simply are doing our stuff on our own with or without Mbogo.
