The Target Organization

Children of Tomorrow will collaborate with Nepal Orphans Home (NOH), situated in the Dhapasi section of Kathmandu. NOH operates homes for children who’ve been orphaned, abandoned or rescued from bonded labor. Currently, there are 27 boys and 106 girls ranging from 6 to 19 years of age. 75 of these girls were rescued from bonded labor and never received any formal education before coming to NOH. Michael Hess is the Founder and Director of Operations. Peter Hess is President of NOH and is an economics professor at Davidson College in North Carolina. NOH has received funding from Possible Worlds Foundation, the Sanctuary for Kids Foundation, and the William Hinman Foundation.

See: www.nepalorphanshomes.org 

Children of Nepal Orphans Home take turns working on two laptops on loan for the day

Objectives of the Pilot Project in Kathmandu, Nepal

The idea is to partner with an established organization like NOH that has been rescuing children from life-threatening situations. CoT will work with the children and teachers to improve their existing skill levels, modernize the curriculum, monitor the growth of the children and teachers, and initiate a collaboration of various schools (like an ePenpal program). The solar-powered laptops will be downloaded with standard curriculum, as well as curriculum on critical thinking, self-empowerment, vocational training and life skills in order to help these children bridge the education gap. All this will be achieved by implementing an ICT (Information & Computer Technologies) platform. Following is an illustration of our four areas of focus:

Areas of Focus

Children of Tomorrow will achieve the above by:

• Introducing cognitive-development focused technology to the students.
• Creating, implementing and designing a new curriculum (taking cultural sensitivities into account).
• Offering face-to-face teacher training of the new curriculum every semester, as well as continued support throughout the year.
• Encouraging an atmosphere of creative expression through the use of technology.
• Engaging teachers and students in greater analytical and critical thinking.
• Enhancing written and verbal communication skills and encouraging the exchange of ideas.
• Enhancing job opportunities by providing vocational curriculum in tailoring, horticulture, mechanics, carpentry and more.
• Instilling a love for the learning process and encouraging student initiative and self-empowerment.
• Fostering an environment of collaboration, conscientiousness and responsibility by providing laptops.
• Initiating a program of collaboration between charter schools (ePenpal concept) in order to foster greater cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Surrounding the children with a supportive community and creating a mentoring program in order to enhance the program’s effectiveness for years to come.

As part of our deployment for this current pilot project, CoT will use XO computers (www.laptop.org), manufactured by OLPC (One Laptop Per Child). It will be a joint responsibility of the school and CoT to audit the inventory every semester. These laptops will come with a solar panel and/or a cranking device to avoid the electricity issues.

CoT will also develop customized applications that will deliver computer-based content. This educational tool will offer standards-driven content aligned with Nepalese curriculum to increase educational levels in key subject areas. The following subjects will be included in the curriculum:

• PHASE ONE:
1. Basic Math (counting, arithmetic, logic and practical financial skills)
2. English (reading, writing, vocabulary, phonics and grammar)

• PHASE TWO:
1. Critical Thinking (analytical exercises, creative expression, self-empowerment and community building)
2. Science (world geography, social and earth sciences); Vocational Skills (tailoring, sewing, horticulture, mechanics and carpentry)