PERIODIC REPORT: AUGUST-NOVEMBER, 2013 AFTER-SCHOOL CYBERCAFÉ & CLASSROOM PROJECT OF

1. PERIODIC REPORT: AUGUST-NOVEMBER, 2013 AFTER-SCHOOL CYBERCAFÉ & CLASSROOM PROJECT OF HAITIAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION AQUIN, HAITI Aldy Castor, M.D. <aldyc@att.net> 954.659.7953 hrdf.org

2. The Haitian Resource Development Foundation (HRDF), a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, with United States Federal Tax I.D. No. 72-1074482, was established in 1987 in the State of Louisiana. This Foundation is also recognized by the government of Haiti as a Non-Governmental Organization (N.G.O.) under the RE: No. MPCEFP/1993/94/17 and registered in the archives of Le Ministère de la Planification et la Coopération Externe under the number B-0167. HRDF’s mission is to initiate or support projects whose goals are to develop Haiti’s resources and focuses its effort on outcome-based programs in the fields of health care, education, scientific research, arts and culture and economy.

3. Thanks to a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, HRDF created and began an after-school cybercafé and computer education classroom in its new vocational-technical building on the outskirts of the Caribbean coastal city of Aquin, Haiti.

4. AQUIN AREA PHOTOGRAPHS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES

17. Although populous, with approx. a hundred thousand living in the city and the surrounding commune, there are few computers, little to no instruction, no cybercafés, and most of the families are too poor to buy their own computing equipment. Thus, the Kellogg-HRDF project is the first of its kind in the vicinity and is available for free to children during the afternoon hours between the end of the school day and the beginning of chores and meals at home.

18. The project began in August with the recruiting of project staff and the purchase and installation of electrical equipment, computers and furniture.

19. Two adjoining rooms in the vo-tech building, each approximately 20’ x 20’ were prepared, one for the cybercafé and one for the classroom. In addition, there is a large assembly space in a nearby building on the property. The whole facility is of recent construction and meets Haiti’s new standards of design and materials to be resistant to storms and earthquakes.

20. In September, project staff plus HRDF’s advisors created the curriculum to provide an effective introduction of computer technology, learning and recreation to the largest number of children in the city. The topics include the world of computers, typing skills, the internet, social networking, word processing, graphics, games and audio-visual. The two rooms are used simultaneously. This permits the staff to teach two groups of approx. fifteen at a time. Each group is a different age, e.g. 9-10, 11-12, 13-14, etc. After the first session of approx. 60-90 minutes, the groups switch sides; the one that began in the classroom moves to the cybercafé, and the other does the opposite.

21. HRDF ORIGINAL CURRICULUM GUIDE FOR CYBERCAFÉ AND COMPUTER CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

22. V. INSTRUCTION Offered as a guide for instructors of HRDF in Aquin, Haiti. As originally envisioned, there are a minimum of ten hours' introductory time offered to each youth, five hours in the cybercafé and five hours in the classroom, as follows. An hour of each would be given during each afternoon’s visit. A. Cybercafe Sesion 1. "The World of Computers" - In this session, youths will learn a brief history of computers, learn how computers are used in the modern world, have the chance to look inside a typical computer, and assemble the external parts of a personal computer, then power it up to see it work. Session 2. The Internet and World-Wide Web - In this session, youths will learn how to "go online," use a browser, maneuver the screen and search for the following things: a map of Haiti, a Haitian radio station, a YouTube video about Haiti, and a storybook about Haiti. Session 3. Introduction to E-mail - In this session, youths will learn about e-mail accounts and learn how to e-mail each other back and forth within the cybercafe. For this, a dedicated account will need to be created for the cybercafe, with sufficient account names to accommodate each of the youths as users. Session 4. Introduction to Social Media - In this session, youths will be guided through the features of several popular social media. They will learn how to look for and read messages posted by individuals and organizations. (Important: Because creating accounts, sending messages and learning precautions concerning social media requires much more than an hour session, plus close adult supervision, youths will not create accounts or send messages.) Sesion 5. Games - In this session, youths will explore the internet to discover and learn about the great variety of free computer games available (educational, recreational, competitive, personal games, team games, etc.) They will learn how to play and keep score of selected games, including skills with the mouse. B. Classroom Session 1. Typing and Keyboard Skills - Using a basic word processing program such as Notepad, youths will learn their way around the keyboard and how to begin typing with all fingers. This will include practice typing letters, numerals and symbols, and one or more basic documents (a poem, a thank you note, a short story, etc.) from one(s) supplied by the instructor and then from one(s) they make from their own imagination. Then, they will print them to see their work. This requires instructors to pre-load the computers with examples for youths to copy. Sessino 2, Typing and Keyboard Skills, continued - Continued as above, with emphasis on typing speed and accuracy. Session 3. Basic Programs - Word Processing - Using the most elementary word processing program such as Notepad, youths will learn the basics and the capabilities of writing and creating poems, stories, diaries and keeping records of their activities. Instructors will be required to pre-load exercises into the computers. For example, they would paste a poem at the upper half of the page so that youths can type and copy the poem on the lower half of the page. The exercises will also help them continue to learn and improve their typing skills. Session 4. Basic Programs, continued - Images and Slideshows With Photo Editor, Paint or another elementary image editor [not Photoshop], youths will learn to import and manipulate images (brighten or darken them, rotate them, color them, etc.). This will require instructors to pre-load images into each computer. With Powerpoint, they will learn to take a poem or short story and turn it into a brief slide show. They will experiment with different typefaces, line spacing, justification and background colors. Then, they will print them to see their work. Session 5. Basic Programs, continued - Audio/visual (two one-hour sessions) - Microsoft and other companies offer elementary programs for recording, downloading and editing digital audio and video of various popular formats. Instructors will select one of these programs, demonstrate its basic capabilities, and then guide youths through an exercise that a) edits and audio track, b) edits a video track, and c) combines the two tracks into an audio/video segment. If time permits, youths can select and download audio/video of their choice from the internet and then perform basic editing.

28. In October, the project was publicized throughout the city and immediately attracted good attention and response. Numerous parents brought their children to HRDF on the day of opening. To help determine the children’s readiness to learn, the staff prepared and administered a basic exam of reading, writing and arithmetic. The ones who passed were admitted first, and the others were assured they will be able to re-take the exam for admission at a later date.

29. In November, HRDF’s cybercafé and classroom opened on a regular basis. Sessions are going smoothly, and there is interest from adults who would like to become computer literate. A solar-electric energy system for the facility, purchased in Florida, arrived in Haiti during the last week of November and is slated for installation in December.

30. Also in November, the Government of Haiti approved and accredited HRDF’s vocational-technical program to teach in the fields of information technology and mechanical and industrial arts. In addition, HRDF plans to begin offering sessions in English as a foreign language.

31. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ENTRANCE EXAMINATION DAY - PARENTS AND CHILDREN ATTENDING

35. PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTIVITY IN THE CYBERCAFÉ

39. PHOTOGRAPHS OF INSTRUCTION IN THE COMPUTER CLASSROOM

45. [Google-English summary from original French] Activity Report - Cybercafé in Aquin for School Children, Ages 9-14 Somere Claude, Project Manager With funds from the Kellogg Foundation (ref no. P3023053) The following activities were carried out for the preparation of the opening: - Construction of cybercafé and instructional classroom - Installation of furniture and computing equipment - Acquisition of internet connection - Recruitment of teachers (3 men, 1 woman) - Preparation of teaching schedule - Publicity and registration process (94 registered) - Admission test administered and graded by instructors - Publication of results (45 admitted by exam and 15 chosen by schools) - Sorting of youths into groups - Orientation program Originally scheduled for October 2013, the opening occurred Nov. 11, 2013 due to logistical problems caused by theft and interrupted electricity. Limited use of onsite diesel generator in lieu of municipal electricity. Equipment for independent photovoltaic system arrived in Aquin from the U.S.A. on Thursday, November 28, 2013. [continued next page]

46. Will recruit an additional watchman to deter the continuing threat of theft. The problem is considered serious due to the high value of the solar-electric system that will soon be installed. The solar panels and associated equipment are highly sought after. Scheduled for December-February period: - Continue instruction of current groups - Install energy equipment (solar panels, inverters, batteries, etc.) - Prepare next round of sixty students for sessions beginning February 2014 - Publicize and open registration for two new groups. - Administer and score admission exams - Publish results; admit 45 by exam, 15 by school recommendation.

47. SUSTAINABILITY As shown below, the Government of Haiti recently approved and accredited HRDF’s vocational-technical school for the teaching of information technology and the mechanical and industrial arts. There is also the intention to teach English and other professional courses on a fee basis. A portion of the fees will be used to subsidize salaries and operational cost of the cybercafe and instructional classroom so that schoolchildren can attend and enjoy them without charge.

50. HRDF YOUTH CYBERCAFÉ PROJECT, AQUIN, HAITI hrdf.org