NDUKUMBANA PRIMARY SCHOOL COMPUTER PROJECT

In June of 2020 CELD completed its largest project in recent years when it brought 10 lap top computers to Ndukumbana Primary School in a traditional tribal village outside of King William's Town, South Africa.  The project was managed by Johan Mollentze and Rhyan Branford who partnered with CELD on its first computer project since bringing computers to Zanempucuko Senior Secondary School in Ilitha in 2011.

Working in a traditional tribal area required a number of challenges to be overcome, including upgrading electrical services and rewiring the classroom where the computers are stored.  Vodacom made a significant donation by establishing a tower in the village in order to improve internet access for the students.

The world is a little smaller for students at Ndukumbana Primary School now that they have computers.  A Google Meets meeting was held in February 2021 between the students in two elementary schools in an Appalachian county in Western Maryland and the students in Ndukumbana Primary School.  This was a major event for their village.   

"When you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands!” That is a popular song that children learn in school. History was made in Garrett County Maryland when students sang that song with their new friends at Ndukumbana Primary School in South Africa. 

The principal in South Africa said this is the first time his students have interacted with students from the United States. His village is generally not visited by whites and many village parents came to watch the interaction. Afterwards he related, “News is still buzzing in this village, that our kids had a talk with American students. This is really a mystery to the parents on our shores. I am glad that my students had a chance to speak with your students.”