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The Thanda After-School Computer Program aims to empower students through the development of vocational skills, community advocacy, personal expression and academic support. Each week the program is works towards these goals through class projects, homework assistance sessions, and English lessons in an environment that is encouraging and supportive.
The program meets four days a week, Monday through Thursday. Adapting to South Africa's schedule of load shedding (government scheduled electricity cuts), we have structured the program into a block schedule. On Mondays and Wednesdays, 12th grade students stay at Khathi High School to study for the crucial end-of-year Matric exams. The other students arrive at the classroom after school and are given a meal; for many it is their first meal of the day. Students are then given an oppurtunity to work on their homework and ask for assistance in areas they need help. Frequently all or most of the students do not have homework, so we spend the 2 hour classtime working on their English language skills. English is a critical language for the students, as it is the language of the Matric and of business in South Africa.
On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we have a two hour computer lesson after the students finish their meal. Most of the students had never used a computer before and we've slowly had to build their skills through the lessons. Each week, the students are excited to get on their computers and continue their work, and the two days of computer lessons are their favorite of the week.
The goal of the computer program is to develop the students' skills in basic computer operating, communication, internet research and basic graphic design sufficiently to help build a website during the fourth term. The website project would require the students to work together, using all the skills they've learned in the course, to benefit their community. The website would host their stories and auction artwork from the Thanda Art Program to fund a project for the community the students propose.
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