In 2009, a young boy from a poor rural community in Malawi came upon a book about windmills in a local library, which was the closest he could get to an education. From it, he learned that windmills could turn wind power into electricity. Using spare parts found in piles of junk, he built a small windmill based only on what he had learned from the book. Long story short, this young man succeeded, and his persistence did not only provide a stable source of electricity for his own home, his community, but also a clear shot to a bigger and brighter future. His name is William Kamkwamba, better known as "The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind". His story is indeed amazing, and it all started with a mind hungry for knowledge and a book about windmills.
This is the same opportunity that JeepneED wants to give public school kids in our country's rural communities. As their tagline goes "Learning Takes You Places". By building mobile e-learning centers on jeepneys each pimped up with 10 laptops, a printer, a scanner, a projector, WiFi connection, and other basic science materials, JeepneED aims to make science and tech education relevant to Filipino children. For more info about JeepneED, check out their video at the end of this blog post.
It's no secret that our public education curriculum needs a major overhaul from the ground up. We have outdated and uninspiring materials, not enough facilities and equipment, too few or too tired teachers who themselves don't get regular skills and knowledge upgrade opportunities. I, for one, am not sure if our government doesn't have sufficient funds (because corrupt officials keep stealing millions from the public coffers) or DepEd itself needs to get upgraded, but I know for sure that many (if not most) of the relevant and progressive movements here in the Philippines are being driven by private citizens.
One of these movements is called Twestival Manila, our local chapter of the global Twestival campaign that traces its humble beginnings back in 2008 to when four friends in a London pub talked about using their PR muscle and social media connections for a good cause. Twestival Manila, like other local Twestival events around the world, will be held on March 24, 2011. Come over to Le Bistro Vert on Valero St., Makati City at 8 PM. For only PHP250, you get a drink, giveaways, and a chance to win nifty gadgets ;-) But more importantly, you can be part of something HUGE that could change the lives of children in rural Philippines. If you can't be there physically, no worries, you can still contribute by buying a ticket or two as these will be counted as donations.
Instead of waiting for our government to shape up, together with JeepneED and Twestival Manila, let's show them how it's done and how much we care about giving young Pinoys a clear shot at a bigger, brighter future. Who knows where the next "windmill" will be built? :-)
It's no secret that our public education curriculum needs a major overhaul from the ground up. We have outdated and uninspiring materials, not enough facilities and equipment, too few or too tired teachers who themselves don't get regular skills and knowledge upgrade opportunities. I, for one, am not sure if our government doesn't have sufficient funds (because corrupt officials keep stealing millions from the public coffers) or DepEd itself needs to get upgraded, but I know for sure that many (if not most) of the relevant and progressive movements here in the Philippines are being driven by private citizens.
Instead of waiting for our government to shape up, together with JeepneED and Twestival Manila, let's show them how it's done and how much we care about giving young Pinoys a clear shot at a bigger, brighter future. Who knows where the next "windmill" will be built? :-)
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