Computer Literacy & Internet Center (CLIC)
Project: To set-up a Computer Literacy and Internet Center
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Beneficiary / Target Group:
Orphaned Children
Handicapped Children
Chernobyl Children
Organized Street Children
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Preamble:
Imagine
a street boy or an orphaned child grow to become a responsible person
(at the least to be gainfully employed, capable of taking care of
himself and his immediate dependents; non-violent, co-existing peacefully
and harmoniously with others regardless of race, culture, religion
and any other differences).
Alternatively, imagine this same
young street boy or orphaned child grow to become an irresponsible
bandit, engaging in violence, banditry, prostitution or anything
similar in order to survive. How will you feel if you hear about
that? He / She would become a burden and liability to his / her
immediate community, and possibly to society as a whole, depending
on the level. How will you feel if you live in the same community
with such a person?
It is these same thoughts, feelings
and possible expectations, coupled with (concern about) the fact
that the child of the present is the adult (or parent) of
the future that have prompted the birth of CLIC (Computer
Literacy and Internet Center). This project is prepared to help
children in these categories dramatically out of the possibility
of living hopeless, helpless, violent lives. CLIC aims to transform
them to become hopeful, responsible, non-violent persons through
computer education, international exchange programs, periodic talks
by non-violent facilitators etc., quizzes with prizes, video / film
shows and many more similar activities.
We appreciate your concern in reading
up to this point, and wish to welcome you to learn more about the
CLIC project by clicking on the related links at the top left corner.
Please contact us via the address
below, should you require any further information.
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Venue:
The first CLIC project (pilot) will
be set up in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. Subsequently, CLIC projects
will be set up in other regions in Ukraine. However, there are plans
to set up CLIC projects in some African countries as well as other
areas as may be needed.
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Why Computer Literacy?
Computer Literacy is presently as
important as being able to read and write. The modern world is now
switching to self-operated computer equipment such as ticket vendors.
Unfortunately, these children have little or no chance in acquiring
knowledge in these areas unless they are educated by institutions
/ organizations that care.
The CLIC project will go a long way
in providing computer education and an opportunity to introduce
the concept of non-violence.
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CLIC Project Supports
U.N. Declaration for the Child
The CLIC project is in line with the
declaration of the United Nations General Assembly, of the first
decade in the third millennium as the International Decade
for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World.
Through the use of various educational, non-violent computer games,
the Center would continue Progress Links' campaign on non-violence
while offering the chance for children to change their lifestyles
dramatically.
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What makes the CLIC project
Unique?
Most computer centers are indifferent
to the kind of materials that are exposed to the child or young adult,
the CLIC project aims to:
- make available
interesting, non-violent, educational games as an alternative
to violent and non-educational games
- encourage and educate
the child or young adult to say YES to non-violence, tolerance,
(and NO to violence, intolerance) through subtle transformation
- practice peaceful
co-existence and harmonious relationships
An unofficial survey we conducted over
a period of 5 months – visiting various commercial computer centers
in the Kiev region – revealed that:
- the centers do not censor or control
the kind of materials that are made available to children and young
adults
- children and young adults have
the inclination, or common desire to play obscene or violent
games such as wars, war strategies, etc. which are characterized
by one's ability to kill, destroy or uproot the 'enemies'.
If the philosophical tenet that one
is much more likely to be influenced, largely, by what he or she engages
in is to be taken as a matter of fact, are these engagements not
driving the present and future generations into catastrophe? The colossal
and escalating stride of violence, crime, social unrest, intolerance
etc. all over the world, which is visible to even the casual observer,
is a fitting answer to this question.
Undoubtedly, the misuse of scientific and technological advancements
and sophistication of the present generation, combined with soaring
violence and intolerance that threaten to override man's striving
efforts to bring about a community of tolerance, peaceful & harmonious
co-existence have proven to be the (greatest) enemies of man's security
– present and future. It is up to man, wherever he may be, to take
the necessary steps to reverse these anomalies systematically.
Progress Links has set itself on this path of restoring the endangered
values of humanity and civilization and hopes to transform the lives
of children and young adults through the CLIC project.
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Activities of the Project
Activities of the CLIC project will
include computer education, non-violent (educational) computer games,
virtual communications, pen pals with other children worldwide,
international exchange programs, periodic talks by non-violent facilitators
etc., quizzes with prizes, video / film shows and many more similar
activities.
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Benefits of the Project:
The CLIC project will enable the orphaned
children, physically handicapped children, Chernobyl children, organized
street children:
- to gain experience in areas such
as reading, writing, and computer literacy
- to have fun through educational
computer games
It will also offer Progress Links
the opportunity to introduce the concept of non-violence.
Other benefits include the following:
- Introduce children
to the virtual world - internet, email etc.
- Promote non-violence
through educational (non-violent) computer games, etc.
- Provide opportunities
for pen friends - to facilitate communication with others abroad
- to exchange ideas with others and learn more about opportunities
available to them as well as how to help one another.
- Possibility to secure
and execute jobs in the future (programming, software development
etc.) from wherever they are, through their knowledge and skills
in computer information technology, etc.
- Foster interest
in current affairs
- Build on experience
acquired and be gainfully employed.
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Long-term benefits:
Include:
- the possibility of further training
(on the already acquired knowledge), be gainfully employed and
live more responsible lives
- a possible dramatic change in
life pattern for the better, making an example for other children
in the neighborhood to emulate
For example, orphans are expected
to leave the orphanages at 18. Where can they go except on the street?
How do they fend for themselves if they are not gainfully employed?
And how can they secure employment it they have no vocation / skills?
The curious observer knows the kind of life they may be living on
the street.
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Our mission:
- Provide these children with needed
skills
- Motivate them to have a positive
mental attitude / outlook towards life
- Urge them to understand that they
are equally capable of being productive
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Goal / Aim of the Project:
CLIC aims to transform these at-risk
children to become hopeful, responsible, self-supporting and non-violent
persons.
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Management / Staff
A staff of four (4) would manage the
project:
2
Computer Technicians/Experts
1 Professional Nurse
1 Child Worker
They must have the following qualities:
experience in educating/assisting children, knowledge of child psychology,
and be patient and tolerant. Their personal life would exhibit these
values and virtues.
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Equipment:
Following is a partial list of needed
equipment / items:
Basic equipment:
- 30 Computers (including
monitor, keyboard, mouse)
- 1 computer designed
for firewall and administration use
- Internet equipment
(hardware / software)
- Microsoft Windows
and Office programs
- 2 battery backups
(for the switch and main server)
- Computer games (educational,
non-violent)
Additional equipment:
Television,
Printer, Copy machine, Video camera, Recording equipment Scanner
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Cost:
The initial total cost for setting
up and operating the CLIC project is approximately US$65,911 (355,919
Ukrainian Griven). This covers Basic equipment (please see
above); rent; renovation of premise; installation of security gadgets,
electricity and internet cables; security charges; allowance for
staff etc.
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Accountability:
Progress Links will be accountable
for the CLIC project. It will monitor and prepare quarterly reports
based on evaluation of the CLIC project and other related matters.
It aims to set up an independent
committee of personnel with competent administrative and managerial
skills, which will comprise non Progress Link staff, to evaluate
the CLIC project on a regular basis as may be necessary. This committee
shall submit its evaluation report to Progress Links.
The quarterly report shall be made
available to Donors and Grant-Givers as well as other organizations
and individuals who may request it.
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What
do People say about this Project?
Most of the people with whom we have
discussed this CLIC project so far see it as a very laudable
one that could transform the lifestyles of the target groups for
the better. Notable among these people are foster-parents from orphanages,
street-child workers, officials from social welfare departments,
PVOs / NGOs concerned about child welfare, and some concerned parents,
just to mention a few.
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CLIC
Project To Go International
We are pleased to receive mail from
some people in other countries, expressing interest in the CLIC
project and requesting that a branch be established in their respective
communities to help provide a meaningful future to at-risk children.
This prospective idea will help build a life-transforming "web"
in communities.
In countries like the Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kenya,
years of man-made disasters (mainly conflicts and wars) and natural
disasters (especially AIDS) have claimed the lives of millions of
parents. The expected result is millions of destitute, at-risk orphaned
children. The tendency for them to fall into the hands of sympathetic,
irresponsible brain-washers is high unless they are rescued by responsible,
concerned people.
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Appeal
for Support:
We invite concerned institutions and
individuals as well as peace and non-violent advocates to join us,
to provide a meaningful future for these children. We would highly
appreciate your support in any form - financial, equipment, donations,
suggestions, etc. Without you, there is little we can do; with you,
there is little we cannot do.
Approximate Expenses For Setting Up And
Operating Computer Literacy & Internet Center For A Period Of
One (1)
Year
A. Initial
items to purchase / install - 1 (in US$ equivalent)
Total cost of
Basic equipment (A) $
32,611
B. Initial items to purchase /
install - 2 (in US$ equivalent)
|
Item |
Quantity |
Unit Price
|
Total cost
|
|
Chair
|
30 |
50 |
1,500 |
|
Table
|
30 |
70 |
2,100
|
|
White
Board (90cm x 120cm)
|
1 |
100 |
100
|
|
One time installation of electrical and cat 5 wires (cables),
electrical
socket and internet cable sockets, connectors, etc.
|
1,100 |
|
One
time installation of Security gadgets
|
800
|
|
Other
expenses (renovation / repair of premises, workmanship,
etc.)
|
2,500
|
Total (B) $
8,100
B.
Charges and Allowances (in US$)
|
Monthly |
One (1) Year |
|
Rent
& Utilities
(premises,
water, electricity, fire service, etc.)
|
350 |
4,200
|
|
Internet
(leased line)
|
400 |
4,800
|
|
Security
charges
|
350 |
4,200
|
|
Minimum
Allowance for 4 workers
|
1000 |
12,000
|
Total (C) $
25,200
Grand Total (A+B+C) $
65,911
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Suggestion:
We invite you to write your suggestions
or comments in the drop-down box. This will help us improve the
CLIC project and serve the children better.
|
Computer (including monitor, keyboard, mouse)