"Making I.T. Simple"

First, I want to apologize for the technical problems our travelogue was having the other day which kept people from being able to post comments - it's fixed now, so comment away!

I've been working with the Children Better Way (CBW) IT Department for the past two weeks helping them get their computer training center up and running. We spent three days last week getting two donated computers, software and books out of customs at Accra airport. It gave me an inside view as to how things work here when dealing with bureaucracy. Luckily we had a customs agent who took care of the paperwork, knew all the right people, and did the rushing around necessary to expedite the process. The computers had been in storage at the airport since June so we had a huge bill to pay (12,000,000 Cedis which is about $1,200 USD) before we could take them home. CBW couldn't afford to pay the fee so I was tasked with talking to the "white man" in charge of storage to ask him to reduce the bill. The storage manager was actually an Arab named Rami but if you're not dark-skinned like Africans you're considered "white".

We typed up a letter explaining that CBW couldn't afford the storage fees, included a few photos of the children who would benefit from the computers, and presented it to Rami. After meeting with us he waived all storage fees! Of course a generous "tip" was expected by our customs agent at the end of the process which we were happy to pay because without him we would probably still be at the airport waiting to get the computers released.

Every company, organization and department here loves to have its own motto and CBW's IT Department chose: "Making IT Simple." With this in mind, we started teaching the first classes this week and the turnout has been great - we've trained over 40 CBW volunteers and staff members in basic computer skills. People here are hungry for knowledge and eager to learn if the opportunity presents itself. There are only another two weeks for Megan and me here so I'm concentrating on getting the IT Department to a point where they can independently conduct classes and develop their own intermediate and advanced level curriculum.

Being at Buduburam has been an interesting and emotional experience. There are only about 20 international volunteers from developed, western countries among a population of over 40,000 refugees. Each of us is approached daily by people who say they "want to be our friend" and while a few are genuinely interested in getting to know us, most finally come around to the real point of meeting us and say that they'd like us to "sponsor" them or their children with a financial donation. Many have experienced hardships we'll never know and are in serious need for food, medical care and an education so it's strange to come here with the intention of helping people only to find yourself constantly saying "No, I'm sorry I can't help you."

A guy I've gotten to know here has told me he's spent the last two years trying to find people through the internet who will listen to his personal story and offer some financial support so he can eat, get needed medical care and pursue an education. The two internet cafes just outside camp are always full with people emailing and using instant messenger. The computer I'm using now shows the things people have been searching for recently on the internet:

"refugee sponsorship around the world"
"computer education worldwide"
"Australian program for Liberian refugees in Ghana"
"citizenship and immigration in Canada"
"any program for refugees to Sweden"
"names of international sponsors"
"universities in USA"
"UNHCR address in Ghana"

The international volunteers we're here with talk a lot about the pros and cons of sponsoring individual people in the camp - does it create the expectation that all volunteers have money to give? are you taking full financial responsibility for the person? and at what point are you going to say no to a request? We realize that we're here primarily to help CBW with its mission of educating children, improving camp sanitation and doing HIV/AIDS outreach and that's where our time, energy and money will do the most good.

That's all from me for now. Megan's in Accra today and will hopefully have a chance to upload some photos. Thanks again to everyone who has emailed us and left comments. We miss you all!