[Wikimedia Kenya] Kakamega Pre-visit Report - WikimediaKE

31 Jan 2011

The Kakamega pre-vist was undertaken betwenn 25th-29th jan.I happened to
visit quite a number of schools in Kakamega,Mumias and Vihiga.
A few things worth sharing:

   - that accessing the School Heads was not easy,they were either away in
   meetings or were not available
   - A good option i learnt was to approach the School's Computer teacher
   who was easy to deal with(in some schools,the teacher okayed the visit and
   project and in others refered me to the head)
   - nothing tells it like a live demo,it realy worked!
   - The' free-ness' is bound to generate controversy,Explaining more about
   Wikimedia Kenya worked
   - Some teachers even wanted the same Installed for them right
   away-unfortunately I did not have a 4gb flash disc.

   - that not all schools are willing to accept our offer-this is because

   1. some have just introduced the Computer studies program and felt they
   aren't well prepared for that
   2. some needed the MoE letter showing we have its blessings
   3. yet some liked it but could not okay it as the School Head was
   away(due to Form one selection,most heads were away in meetings) or needed
   consultations with owner.This was quite a problem as I had limited time and
   was running on a tight schedule and limited resources.As such,I tried
   calling the Heads where possible but most insisted on having a physical
   meetup to discuss the same

I had to visit alternative schools where it was impossible to obtain on-spot
confirmation as waiting for the school head would have wasted time and could
not come back later due to cost implication and not being sure to find
him/her
It would thus be prudent for other Teams to consider some of this approaches
and be ready for the a forementioned complications.

I designed a questionnare that I ysed to collect all the relevant data as
concerns the school's infrastructural state,contact information  and
availability.I will share the same later if need be.It was a duplicate form
that would enable us have proof that the school okayed our visit and that we
got a date with them as it had the schools official stamp.it also served as
my Wikimedia ID,so guys please work on Identification,some guys realy needed
it.I also printed the PREAMBLE for the Wikipedia for schools selection on
the ZIM file,It served as my preamble and I left a copy to each school i
visited.

I managed to bring 10 schhols onboard including Sigalagala technical
Institute;
the following are the schools we will undertake the pilot:

   1. Kakamega High School
   2. St.Agnes Shibuye Girls
   3. Musingu High School
   4. Mukumu Girls High School
   5. St.Peters Mumias Boys
   6. Muslim Mumias boys
   7. Sigalagala Technical Institute-main campus
   8. Sigalagala Technical Institute-Town campus
   9. mbale Shalom academy
   10. Vihiga High School

I had telephone conversations with other schools and we may pass by them
during our pilot if we have time.Of interest was the fact that Chavakali
high School have the Wikipedia for Schools. :-)

Lastly,so far the Kakamega pilot is set for the 1st week of march,and this
are the participants who have confirmed their availabilty in the same:

   1. Limoke Oscar
   2. Wafula Alex
   3. Osano Sarah
   4. Obwari Branton
   5. Nyamboga Lilian
   6. Bakari

I thus look forward to their input and suggestions in the Pilot.
I would be happy to respond to any queries and concerns over the same.

-- 
Limoke Oscar,
Cell:+254 717 845 316