Bringing computer education to rural Bougainville
Access to education is very difficult for the young people of Mabiri on the remote island of Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, which contributes to lower school enrolment figures. Ten years of intense civil war destroyed most of the country’s infrastructure, requiring a massive reconstruction of buildings, including schools, and the provision of essential educational resources, when the conflict ceased.
In accepting responsibility for St Joseph’s College Mabiri, the Marist brothers and their lay collaborators aim to provide a quality education for the young men and boys from Bougainville and the surrounding islands, however the college is significantly under resourced, especially in regard to IT equipment.
A computer room has already been constructed and 20 new computers were recently purchased and installed with the first 10 students having their first ever computer class not long after. The College is now fundraising for the next phase of this project which is to purchase an additional 20 computers which will fill the laboratory. These computers will be sourced in country in order to support the local economy and facilitate back-up and maintenance.
Your support of this project will create opportunities for young men in remote communities to reach their academic potential.
Featured Photo: Conor Ashleigh
