Making AMD’s 50x15 Vision a Reality: My Uganda Experience
August, 2006
By Sandeep Ashok, 50x15 Program Manager
Sandeep Ashok, 50x15 program manager, recently traveled to Uganda to oversee the opening of three AMD Learning Labs in the region, and shared his experience with 50x15 Connections.
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," is what Dorothy says to her dog in the movie "The Wizard of Oz." This is what I thought to myself as I stood stranded in the middle of a remote Ugandan dirt road on a hot August morning last week. I was on my way to oversee the installment of a 50x15 "Learning Lab" in Bukuya Secondary School, when our car broke down.
As part of AMD's 50x15 team working to empower 50 percent of the world's population with Internet access and computing capability by 2015, my job is to coordinate the setup of these Learning Labs - between our 50x15 project managers around the world, and the teams in the United States. I find my job very rewarding because it gives me the opportunity to meet and work with incredible people from around the world, and truly make an impact on their lives through the use of technology. However, it does have its drawbacks, such as the occasional power outage when you are in the shower, or in this case, being stranded in the middle of nowhere!
On July 31, I left for Kampala, Uganda, to ensure the smooth deployment in the learning labs of the three Ugandan schools. Prior to the launch on Friday, Aug. 4, I visited each of the schools to help Matthew Chetty, 50x15 Africa project manager, document the status of the deployment and acquire feedback from the faculty, students and parents. The feedback will be used as part of learning lab capsules (case studies) that will be published on the 50x15 website.
Bukuya Secondary School is located about two-and-half hours away from the capital city of Kampala. It was on the way there, that I found out first-hand about the challenges of a rural African environment. Most of the small homes in the area had limited access to electricity and water. In addition, the road to the school was unpaved with large craters and bumps unevenly distributed along the way. Our journey to Bukuya was going fine until we had to stop for a bathroom break. Following which, there was no response when the driver tried to start the car. He did not appear to be worried, so I decided not to worry as well. There was a small house nearby and a boy provided us with some water to help cool the truck down. Unfortunately, that did not do the trick.
After about 30 minutes, as luck would have it, another truck came by with an "expert" mechanic. He fiddled with the starter and voila, the truck started! With disaster averted, we visited the school and met with the excited students and faculty. I was very impressed with the actual lab, which housed about 30 thin-client devices and would be used by students as part of their daily curriculum.
As I watched I wondered how, with obstacles such as limited power, water and quality infrastructure, students could care about the Internet, or using computers. I found out the answer when I interviewed them, and their teachers and parents. It turns out they take a very pragmatic approach to their lives and know that they need computer skills to compete with their peers in urban areas for the jobs of the 21st century. Those who choose to stay in a more rural setting are aware of the way the Internet can be used to make farming and trade jobs more efficient. It was heartening to see that the people of Bukuya were so keenly aware of how they could use the Internet to their advantage, despite the obstacles they faced in their day-to-day lives.
The remainder of my week in Uganda went smoothly, culminating in the official launch ceremony in Kyambogo College School in Kampala. There, I had the opportunity to interview Eddie Oketcho, an 18-year-old senior with aspirations of becoming a lawyer and public servant. This kid was amazing. Though he faced daily challenges of commuting to school, paying school fees, and helping his family take care of younger siblings, he exuded a positive attitude and a passion for knowledge that was truly inspiring. He genuinely believed that with the power that technology afforded him, he could accomplish anything. I felt very touched by him, and wondered what his life would be like if he had the opportunities provided to children in more affluent areas.
It's been said that given the right opportunities, the next "Bill Gates" may come from an urban neighborhood in Mexico City, or a small village in Africa. After my trip to Uganda, and after meeting people like Eddie, there is no doubt in my mind that this statement is true. I'm more proud than ever to work on an initiative that is going to make Eddie's dream a reality.