Computer training Nigerian Style

Today I did something actually worth writing about, this was the first of the lessons my organisation (which mainly consists of me) are running on computers. We have a 16 moderately new, moderately functioning computers which for Nigeria means we should be running the local space program.

The local schools are being very Nigerian about starting the training and hopefully the main program will start in Feb (the response we got from schools was the entire spectrum from enthusiasm, to "what is my cut?") My friends at the deaf school (see previous post) jumped at the chance to have computer training and this morning I was promised a bus load of deaf kids to experiment on!

Having made sure I was at work at 8:30 on the dot giving me half an hour before they arrived, ample time I reasoned to deal with the inevitable problems that being in Nigeria causes. As expected someone had locked the room containing the flip chart (for writing class rules and objectives) and instead of 8 extension cables required to run the computers without UPSs I was proudly presented with a single extension cable with 8 sockets, which although fulfilling the basic requirements does somewhat miss the point that users find computers much more useful if they are able to sit at/near them.

I had also made sure there was enough diesel to run the generator for the entire day. All this was to no avail. What I should have checked was that they had bought diesel and not some half-diesel-half-petrol-guaranteed-to-F-up-any-engine mix.

So begins my first two hours of teaching in Nigeria, computer training with no electricity. One carefully planned lesson was in tatters, insightful monologues about the differences between office versions were (possibly thankfully) binned. Flexible and adaptable eh? I’ll show them.

Actually it turns out there’s quite a lot you can teach people who’ve never used computers before about computers without actually turning the thing on (not just “and as you can see it does make a wonderful paperweight”). Remembering the level you have to start at is a big thing, e.g. what the big button at the bottom of the keyboard does. Much confusion was caused by there being two enter keys, and me wanting them to find both, and not just one enter key then the number 2 key (try explaining that with made up on the spot sign language). Anyway this kind of fun was stretched out for a couple of hours.

The computers that did have UPS’s did have enough power in them to turn on for 10mins at the end, which was enough time for everyone to write their name, and play a typing game where letters fall from the top of the screen (kids really are entertained by anything a computer does) and go home happy. Considering what an unmitigated disaster I was expecting at 8:59 it turned out pretty well.

(apologies about lack of photos in the post, will try and add some more soon, internet connection dependant)

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In other news I have moved house, into a house in the centre of town which used to be 2 other volunteers (Martyn and Clare) residence. The major advantage is that my commute has gone from just under an hour to 10 mins on the back of bike. This also makes getting home from evening socialising much easier. For those who are interested the exact grid ref is:10° 29' 51.63", +7° 25' 52.20" .

Being near a river, does have the unfortunate side effect of rats. At the moment I have seen just the one. I’ve never been keen on rats, probably something to do with the idea that they wee constantly and there is the whole historical grudge over the bubonic plague incident. Martyn the previous occupant bought a sticky mat, which seems to be a piece of cardboard covered with post it note glue, the idea is that the rat walks over it gets stuck and then is ready (and stationary enough?) for you to dispatch at your leisure. The designer of this instrument must have only had to deal with some pretty anaemic rats, I saw Mr Ratty run over this, slow slightly but only enough so he could see my broom hit the mat behind him as he slid under the kitchen door. The broom on the other hand does attach very solidly to the sticky mat...

Further updates of me verses Mr Ratty will be posted here (shortly and terminally I hope).

The NEPA had been amazingly almost 24 hours, up until about two hours ago... So it’s back to blogging in the dark.