The Onesua Presbyterian College Computer Science Department Certifies 233 Students

The Onesua Presbyterian College re-established their Computer Science Department this year after 8 years of not having a computer course or lab because their computers’ were massively infected by viruses. That’s where I come in. With the collaboration of Vanuatu’s National Training Council (VNTC) in Port Vila we implemented a Computer Science Course 1 that teaches students the basics of computers. At the beginning of the school year in February students had the opportunity to register for the course for an additional 6000 vatu. Initially, we started with almost 350 enrolled students ranging from grades 9 to 13. Throughout the academic year each student was taught how to operate a computer and use various Microsoft Programs (Word, Excel & PowerPoint). The curriculum requires a minimum of 130 hours, which was a bit frustrating to accomplish considering how many days off we had due to holidays, exams…and did I mention holidays? Nonetheless, the students were eager and excited to learn and many of them have become extremely proficient in using computers. I was most impressed with my 9th graders many of whom excelled in creating PowerPoint presentations. A few were brave enough to explore the programs and teach themselves how use additional functions that were not part of the curriculum teachings. Way to go Freshmen! I was also proud that many of my female students enrolled and gave the boys some competition for our Student of the Month.

Despite the many hiccups throughout the year from equipment breaking down to viruses and no internet service we managed to certify 233 students (70 of which were my students) by graduation on October 31^st, 2010. A feat that we are extremely proud of especially because the VNTC certification is nationally recognized and will assist our qualified students to land business jobs throughout the country.

Next year, we are looking forward to implementing a tourism business course that will complement our computer course and is also VNTC approved. Teaching computer science in the #1 worst country for computer maintenance is hard work…honestly, teaching in general is bloody hard work, but I can honestly write that watching a student go from being afraid to touch a mouse to creating a professional PowerPoint presentation with ease is worth all the headaches, sweat and tears.

Onesua Presbyterian College - My Home & My Computer Lab

I arrived into my apartment on site on November 16, 2009. There wasn't much of a welcoming when i arrived. the deputy principal Graham Kalmar picked me up from Vila and dropped me off at Onesua Presbyterian College (OPC) 1-hour later. By this time the majority of the volunteers from my group 22 were at site and I'd heard about the village welcome parties and such. So when I arrived I sorta've expected the same...but NO GAT. Deputy dropped my shit in front of my door and basically said "peace! Good luck!" I was a little bummed and nervous because I was officially on my own and since I had no welcoming I knew no one.

My hammock for hanging out! & My apartment with its color puke orange doors.


My bathroom/shower.

In November all the students at OPC were taking final exams. The teachers were hella busy and I had little to nothing to do. So I did what i do best when bored or stressed --I cleaned the shit out of my apartment and later tackled my computer lab office and computer lab. My apartment is basically a studio apartment and was fairly clean when I moved in but where I lacked a welcoming from my peers the Ni-Van critters made up for it. I had centipedes come out of the woodwork, Jurassic Park-sized roaches flying around shouting "wassup!", spiders were hanging out waving at me as I unpacked and ants were busy relocating themselves to a more discreet area.

My Year 9 students hard at work.

My computer office was a storage room before I arrived it took me about 2 days to empty everything out, paint and reorganize. Hunter (my Ni-Van Counterpart) helped me with the painting. It's a soothing yellow.

My Counterpart, Hunter Haggia and our office.

Thanks to one of our on-campus Handyman, Kalrick, the computer lab was not in bad shape. He built the table in a shape of a horseshoe, stained them, and connected all the electrical wires and cables. We now have 28 computers that occassionally break down because of the elements (humidity, heat, salt air), but we're proud of our Lab.

We currently have approxmately 300 students enrolled in our classes both boys and girls ranging from age 14 - 20. The kids are what keep me going most times esp. after having a bad day or week. I'm teaching them the basic functions of a computer which includes all the MS Programs (Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint) and Internet research and email. Since Feb 2010 they have gone from being afraid of touching the mouse and keyboard so confident that some swear they know it all. It kills me! They are a trip! I adore my kids. Even the grown ones that I've had to shame or kick out of my class.