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Computer
Class in the Jungle |
March
8, 2001- Pablo Sexto, Ecuador |
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I
was scheduled to go into the jungle to visit a Shuar
Indian community. Somehow, wires got crossed and our
guide did not show up. At the last minute, our host
was able to arrange a visit to a not so primitive
community nearby. |
Although it was not the former headshrinking Shuar Indians
as planned, it was nonetheless, a cultural exchange that
I will not soon forget.
The small community is accessible by very limited bus service
on a badly maintained road. The winter rains often render
it inaccessible to motor vehicles. The community has only
two phone lines but does enjoy full time electricity. As
an Eco-tour volunteer I taught a class in, believe it or
not, Internet technology and digital photography. They ate
it up.
During
one of my three sessions I spoke to each and every
grade school student. |
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It was fascinating to watch little light bulbs go on.
From the questions they asked it was obvious that that
many of them were right there with me.
The Internet will not be coming to town in the immediate
future, but it may not be too long. The school administration
has an underutilized computer and some of the students
have video games so there is some exposure to technology.
As a relative novice myself, I was able to share my enthusiasm
on a level that they were able to grasp: "Here's you,
here's a computer, here's a phone, here's a network of
computers that goes around the globe, here's a new friend
on the other side of the world!"
While in front of the class, I had the distinct intuitive
experience that this was something I was meant to do.
I have had the same experience a couple times before in
my life and both times it has proved to be significant.
I have no immediate plans to become a teacher, but the
thought of sharing or spreading Internet technology in
under-served areas is exciting.
The
more basic education going on in Pablo is agricultural.
They have very involved programs in animal husbandry
and horticulture. Hands on training every afternoon. |
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They
wanted to know all about our lives back home and they
bent over backwards to include us in theirs. From
their evening sports activities to preparing guinea
pig for dinner, we were very much involved. |
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