Hi Jansen,
Am happy you have now put Jinja on one of your agenda we have been missing your participation.
But as we are starting a new year its in my prayer that we can make Jinja central shine.
Wishing you all a Happy prosperous new year with all of us coming together and we get the best out of it.
Love Paul
From September until December 2007 this Villages was featured amongst others. The purpose of featuring these Villages was to find out how Villages on NABUUR could get results quicker and more predictably.
[b]Results[/b]
Most of the Featured Villages experienced an influx of Neighbours by being featured. The majority of the Local Representatives was happy with the increased activity in their Village. Though in most cases the defined results were only partially achieved. Reasons for that were according to some Local Representatives that their goals were too ambitious, others found out their goals had to be redefined. Results that depend on finding (larger amounts of) funds are most difficult to achieve.
[b]Predictable[/b]
Based on the feedback of the Local Representatives, the following conditions seem to be good indicators for success:
- To achieve results a project should have a clear focus and small, concrete steps;
- There should be a local team in place;
- Specific activities attract more volunteers than planning issues;
- Finding funding or sponsors is still a difficult issue that many villages encounter;
- Being featured attracts Neighbours but visible community involvement is crucial;
- Regular discussions and updates are necessary to maintain an active group.
Because featuring of villages seem to be a useful tool, there will be another round. This time the focus will be on defining the project with a clear focus and small, concrete steps.
The lessons learned are input for the redesign of the NABUUR website.
Not quite sure where to post this as its not really a part of any of the existing tasks, so I decided to put it here...
When we were chatting earlier you said you are interested in learning from other similar centres. We are creating a list of such centres, also IT-related networks in Uganda, for Anai-Acoke village (for anyone who doesn't know, they are setting up a computer centre in Lira, Uganda).
You may also want to see if you can learn directly from each other. Their Nabuur village is at http://www.nabuur.com/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=105 or you could contact Sabbath Obua, their LR, who will be working at the centre. Email obuasabbath@yahoo.com
Or you could talk to Fred as I am sure he will be happy to introduce the two of you to each other!
Pelle - it would be good to find an organised way of linking all the computer projects on Nabuur to share information.
Thanks for the suggestions. Paul and Fred have met when the computers arrived in Jinja (Fred works with ICU, the organization that took care of the shipment), so I hope he got some info from Fred. Will check that.
Concerning linking the 'computer projects'. Unfortunately the current platform the NABUUR site is built upon, doesn't allow us to do those kind of things easily. Therefore the new site is being developed based on another platform that will allow this kind of functionality. We'll be able to show this kind of feature in the demo environment (http://demo.nabuurtest.com) pretty soon.
I was not sure if you would check here or your email first, but I wanted to post here just in case. Phoebe from Sight Savers got back to me and said she will be in Jinja on Wednesday and that she is hoping they can stop by the school to meet you. I hope that she was able to connect with you today, if not then maybe tomorrow so that this visit can happen.
Please let me know if there's anything further I can do with this. I did provide your phone and email to her, so she should be able to reach you.
Thanks for the info. I know Fred and Paul know each other so hopefully the prople at the two centres can start coomunicating with each other sometime soon.
I hope the new site will also allow sharing of info from computer centres that are already up and running, where the Nabuur village may have moved on to other things, rather than just between those who are before/at the stage of getting started?
Being able to learn from those that are already successful would be helpful to Paul and Sabbath and all the others.
I don't know when the new site will launched - I assume it will not be for a few months? I am wondering if there is any way for those that are up and running to share info before that if they are willing to do so. Maybe putting the interested LRs in contact with each other directly via email or something?
I am eager to hear if you were able to meet with the representatives from Sight Savers today. Please let me know how it went and if you were able to connect with them.
Paul and I were chatting online yesterday. Computer training starts tomorrow, Paul I really hope it goes well!!!
He mentioned that he hopes to teach computer skills to deaf people. Also if there is any software available for teaching sign language.
This is not something I have any experience of, and sign languages vary across cournties, so I was not able to be much help. I thought I would post here just in case there is anyone reading this who does. If there is, please let Paul know!
I suggested to Paul that he should get in contact with some of the disability organisations in Uganda, not just about computer training for deaf people, but to see if they can share experience and provide any good contacts.
As he does not have contact details for any of them, I emailed him the following list, which I thought I would post here in case anyone else finds it helpful. Also to see if anyone has any to add to it.
Uganda National Association of the Deaf http://www.unadug.net/general/index.php
Very committed to using sign language for communication among deaf people. According to this you do have your own version in Uganda, so they would be the best people to advise you.
Uganda National Association of the Blind
can't find a website, but http://www.afub-uafa.org/pages/page3.asp lists contact details as
P.O. Box 6938
Off Kireka – Namugongo Road
Kampala
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
Tel: +256 41 286 561
Fax: +256 41 286 618
Tel/Fax: +256 41 268 296 / 230 338
Email: unab@utlonline.co.ug
Sorry I missed your message today. I will be off work tomorrow maybe we can catch up then to discuss this further. Teaching people who are deaf the computer and teaching them sign language are two totally separate topics. People who are deaf can learn computer skills just like anyone else can. There are sometimes adaptive things done to the overall set up, for example, where others might normally hear a "beep" when they get email, sometimes things are done differently such as a flashing message the person can see. I don't think that will be an issue for you during training at the school.
Mary is right, sign language will vary from place to place-but again, this is a completely different issue from the computer training. We can talk further about this-just let me know.
The adaptive software that we had discussed before for the computer is mainly for students who are blind.
Hello neibours
Thank you so much for all that you put in to see that Jinja can stand much of your valued time.
Please we wanted to get some soft ware for sign language and if my brother can send me those CDs that can teach deaf and dumb people.
There is software out there for teaching sign language, but from a quick search I can only find it for the British, American and South African versions which won't be any good to you as you have your own version in Uganda. It would be like teaching someone Spanish when they need to know French!
My suggestion would be to get in touch with the Uganda National Association of the Deaf and see what they would advise. There may already be groups teaching sign language in Jinja for free or low cost. If so, your members may be able to join their classes.
Hi Jansen,
Am happy you have now put Jinja on one of your agenda we have been missing your participation.
But as we are starting a new year its in my prayer that we can make Jinja central shine.
Wishing you all a Happy prosperous new year with all of us coming together and we get the best out of it.
Love Paul
Dear Neighbours,
From September until December 2007 this Villages was featured amongst others. The purpose of featuring these Villages was to find out how Villages on NABUUR could get results quicker and more predictably.
[b]Results[/b]
Most of the Featured Villages experienced an influx of Neighbours by being featured. The majority of the Local Representatives was happy with the increased activity in their Village. Though in most cases the defined results were only partially achieved. Reasons for that were according to some Local Representatives that their goals were too ambitious, others found out their goals had to be redefined. Results that depend on finding (larger amounts of) funds are most difficult to achieve.
[b]Predictable[/b]
Based on the feedback of the Local Representatives, the following conditions seem to be good indicators for success:
- To achieve results a project should have a clear focus and small, concrete steps;
- There should be a local team in place;
- Specific activities attract more volunteers than planning issues;
- Finding funding or sponsors is still a difficult issue that many villages encounter;
- Being featured attracts Neighbours but visible community involvement is crucial;
- Regular discussions and updates are necessary to maintain an active group.
Because featuring of villages seem to be a useful tool, there will be another round. This time the focus will be on defining the project with a clear focus and small, concrete steps.
The lessons learned are input for the redesign of the NABUUR website.
Warm regards,
Gerdie Schreuders
NABUUR staff
Hi Paul
Not quite sure where to post this as its not really a part of any of the existing tasks, so I decided to put it here...
When we were chatting earlier you said you are interested in learning from other similar centres. We are creating a list of such centres, also IT-related networks in Uganda, for Anai-Acoke village (for anyone who doesn't know, they are setting up a computer centre in Lira, Uganda).
The task is at http://www.nabuur.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=6893&start=0#... with the list being in the associated wiki at http://www.nabuur.com/modules/wiwimod/index.php?villageid=105&actionId=6...
At the moment it is only a short list, but it may grow over time. A lot depends on what the guys in Lira want in the way of contacts.
You may also want to see if you can learn directly from each other. Their Nabuur village is at http://www.nabuur.com/modules/newbb/viewforum.php?forum=105 or you could contact Sabbath Obua, their LR, who will be working at the centre. Email obuasabbath@yahoo.com
Or you could talk to Fred as I am sure he will be happy to introduce the two of you to each other!
Pelle - it would be good to find an organised way of linking all the computer projects on Nabuur to share information.
Mary
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the suggestions. Paul and Fred have met when the computers arrived in Jinja (Fred works with ICU, the organization that took care of the shipment), so I hope he got some info from Fred. Will check that.
Concerning linking the 'computer projects'. Unfortunately the current platform the NABUUR site is built upon, doesn't allow us to do those kind of things easily. Therefore the new site is being developed based on another platform that will allow this kind of functionality. We'll be able to show this kind of feature in the demo environment (http://demo.nabuurtest.com) pretty soon.
Warmly,
Pelle
Paul-
I was not sure if you would check here or your email first, but I wanted to post here just in case. Phoebe from Sight Savers got back to me and said she will be in Jinja on Wednesday and that she is hoping they can stop by the school to meet you. I hope that she was able to connect with you today, if not then maybe tomorrow so that this visit can happen.
Please let me know if there's anything further I can do with this. I did provide your phone and email to her, so she should be able to reach you.
Jennifer
Hi Pelle
Thanks for the info. I know Fred and Paul know each other so hopefully the prople at the two centres can start coomunicating with each other sometime soon.
I hope the new site will also allow sharing of info from computer centres that are already up and running, where the Nabuur village may have moved on to other things, rather than just between those who are before/at the stage of getting started?
Being able to learn from those that are already successful would be helpful to Paul and Sabbath and all the others.
I don't know when the new site will launched - I assume it will not be for a few months? I am wondering if there is any way for those that are up and running to share info before that if they are willing to do so. Maybe putting the interested LRs in contact with each other directly via email or something?
Mary
Paul-
I am eager to hear if you were able to meet with the representatives from Sight Savers today. Please let me know how it went and if you were able to connect with them.
Jennifer
I hope you have a great birthday tomorrow 8-) !!
All the best-Jennifer
And from me too....
Happy birthday Paul - have a great day!!!
Mary
Hi Paul,
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Barb
Paul and I were chatting online yesterday. Computer training starts tomorrow, Paul I really hope it goes well!!!
He mentioned that he hopes to teach computer skills to deaf people. Also if there is any software available for teaching sign language.
This is not something I have any experience of, and sign languages vary across cournties, so I was not able to be much help. I thought I would post here just in case there is anyone reading this who does. If there is, please let Paul know!
I suggested to Paul that he should get in contact with some of the disability organisations in Uganda, not just about computer training for deaf people, but to see if they can share experience and provide any good contacts.
As he does not have contact details for any of them, I emailed him the following list, which I thought I would post here in case anyone else finds it helpful. Also to see if anyone has any to add to it.
Uganda National Association of the Deaf
http://www.unadug.net/general/index.php
Very committed to using sign language for communication among deaf people. According to this you do have your own version in Uganda, so they would be the best people to advise you.
National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda
http://international.egmont-hs.dk/nudipu/
Uganda Society for Disabled Children
http://www.usdc.or.ug/
Epilepsy Support Organisation
http://www.epilepsy.org.ug/
Uganda National Action on Physical Disability
http://www.unapd.ug/
Action on Disability and Development - Uganda
http://adduganda.org/index.html
They are an international organisation but do a lot in Uganda. Their Partners page http://www.adduganda.org/partners.html lists groups in Jinja but does not give any contact details.
Uganda National Association of the Blind
can't find a website, but http://www.afub-uafa.org/pages/page3.asp lists contact details as
P.O. Box 6938
Off Kireka – Namugongo Road
Kampala
THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
Tel: +256 41 286 561
Fax: +256 41 286 618
Tel/Fax: +256 41 268 296 / 230 338
Email: unab@utlonline.co.ug
Mary
Paul-
Sorry I missed your message today. I will be off work tomorrow maybe we can catch up then to discuss this further. Teaching people who are deaf the computer and teaching them sign language are two totally separate topics. People who are deaf can learn computer skills just like anyone else can. There are sometimes adaptive things done to the overall set up, for example, where others might normally hear a "beep" when they get email, sometimes things are done differently such as a flashing message the person can see. I don't think that will be an issue for you during training at the school.
Mary is right, sign language will vary from place to place-but again, this is a completely different issue from the computer training. We can talk further about this-just let me know.
The adaptive software that we had discussed before for the computer is mainly for students who are blind.
Jennifer
My wife knows ASL and I know two teachers using ASL. I have some dvds in sign language. Send specific questions and I will get the answers.
Hello neibours
Thank you so much for all that you put in to see that Jinja can stand much of your valued time.
Please we wanted to get some soft ware for sign language and if my brother can send me those CDs that can teach deaf and dumb people.
Hi Paul
There is software out there for teaching sign language, but from a quick search I can only find it for the British, American and South African versions which won't be any good to you as you have your own version in Uganda. It would be like teaching someone Spanish when they need to know French!
My suggestion would be to get in touch with the Uganda National Association of the Deaf and see what they would advise. There may already be groups teaching sign language in Jinja for free or low cost. If so, your members may be able to join their classes.
Mary