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Latin America Resource
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Little Davey Project Builds 50 Computers
for Costa Rica Schools

By Rod and Sherry Boyd

A group of 10 from Greater Portland, OR joined us San Jose, Costa Rica in February to build 50 computers for four Latin America ChildCare schools. This is the second team led by David and Deborah Kaiser, founder of Little Davey Project, a ministry that exists to provide computers for poor children in Latin America. The first Little Davey team built 50 computers for LACC schools in Panama in May 2005. 

The Little Davey Project raised funds the last several months to purchase the internal components of the computers: motherboard, processor, memory and hard drive. The LACC program in Costa Rica, led by Missionary Associate Bill Dunton, worked with the local school ministry and schools to raise funds for the computer cases, monitors, CD Rom drives, keyboards, mice and speakers. In addition, the schools had to work to prepare the new computer classrooms for the new equipment, improving the electrical system, building special tables and securing the rooms. Some of the schools had received donations of used computers in the past, but many never worked. And those that did had obsolete software.

All 50 new computers were built with brand new, top quality components, with the latest software. We say a special thanks to Inspiration Software for the donation of the Kidspiration software. Only a couple of the members of the team had any technical experience. But it didn’t matter. After the “techies” prepared the first hard drive and put together the first computer, the rest of the team took their places on the “assembly line.” All of the computers were put together in just two days!

The team spent the next four days delivering computers to schools, a different school each day. Three of the schools are located in the greater San Jose area. The other school was 3-1/2 hours away in port city of Limon. The team worked together to unpack computers and put them in place. Half of the team then visited classrooms to teach English and enjoy the children. The rest stayed to run network wire, plug in cables, run a final test on the equipment and configure the network.

Little Davey Tech TeamThe formal English classes and informal visits with children and staff were a highlight. Although all of the schools try to teach English, most do so without good curriculum and experienced teachers. The team’s class visits helped the children hear English from first-language English speakers. And the interaction helped the team connect with the children.

Most of the schools had an assembly of students and staff to say thank you for the computers. A highlight was having children come into their new computer lab and sit down at the computers.  They were in awe of how suddenly the lab was put together and of the new computers themselves. Although many had used a computer before, the majority had not. Only a few at the Limon school had ever used one. At that school we asked a couple of boys to sit down for a lesson. A good group of children gathered around. We gave them instruction, but these boys didn’t even know how to use a mouse!

Why would we want to teach computers to a bunch of poor kids? Why wouldn’t we! Latin America ChildCare is all about reaching kids for eternity, but loving them enough not to leave them in their poverty. Teaching kids computer and English prepares them to compete in a world that expects more each day.

Thank you, David and Deborah, for your vision, generosity and hard work that make these teams possible. And thank you Bill R., Linda, Anita, Taylor, Jim, Erin, Jack, Karen and Bill D. for being such a blessing to so many children and youth in Costa Rica.

Will there be more “tech” teams in the future?  The answer is yes! David says, “Little Davey Project is planning on sending two teams in 2008.” 

Are you interested in helping? If you would be interested in giving towards, being a part of or bringing a “tech” team please write us at Panorama@Boyds.org.

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team

Little Davey Tech Team