> At 09:33 PM 9/13/99 -0600, you wrote:
> >Greetings from the GreatWhiteNorth:
> >
> >northern Alberta that is. And not white yet, although it is getting
frosty
> >We got some computers into the small communities, but we put them with
> >gifted-kids' families, we did it through a loose community group, (so as
to
> >be an example of empowerment, and provided a 'package' of software,
> >programmingtools, etc.
> >
> >Our group is "Mamawe Payowin" Cree for "Get Together" - or meeting. We
put
> >the name all over the computer with ear tag pen (eats into the paint).
Thus
> >everybody else "Knew" to leave the machines alone. We also provided a
> >mini-kit for the kids to decorate the computers themselves. Most of the
> >originals have now upgraded - purchased new machines! Great ! except I
> >still have lots of tech support to do.
> >PS if any one else wants more details on how we did our "Working Computer
> >Museum" project, please ask. People who are poor/??/whatever do not
like
> >to/find it very difficult to accept 'charity, cast off rubish, others'
> >leftovers, etc. There always has to be some love and empowerment with
it.
> >
> >Paul
>
> I'm very excited to see your post here. Your idea with the marking pen
and
> well thought out name is very good and would help a lot, if the place in
> question had enough PR. I like the idea. I would like to know a lot more
> about what you did, and I'm sure many others on this list would like to
> know the details of how your program grew and operated. I have a long
haul
> to achieve the same, your experience could shorten the time for me. I'm
> very glad you "butted in" please continue!
We kept our proposal VERy short - less than one page! In it we said that
we would sign a no-comeback deal - we would not ask for parts, software,
manuals, repairs, etc. I had a local TV repair person and a comp tech 'sign
on' ie let us use their name.
WE started off with two premises: That it cost the institutions 500 bucks a
machine to recycle them thru the gov center in Edmonton.. Next: that
computers in the North belong here.
We elaborated that we had a complete support environ - software, manuals,
etc. We had licensees and other companies 'helping' us out (letters saying
we could use their old software).
Insiders on both end help - what are the institutions scared of: security
and licenses, comebacks, and legal hassles.
There was only 4 of us, and we only got a very small no of computers out -
but if worked, and we had only one or two 'failures'. It was aimed at
self -empowerment and community - not at the technology. What you do has
to have a focus/purpose, etc. No one wants help/freebies from others. No
one wants 'dumb' medicine. And one computer in the hands of a gifted kid
can have more impact on a community than 100 free game machines.
We were just 4 people : 3 Ladies from the Rez and myself. We never even
bothered with 'non-profit/charity' papers, We just did it.
If this helps anyone, I would appreciate hearing back so we can serve as an
example to others. Stories could be part of my Prof Paul's 15 Minute
University. I think you can imagine who and how that is going to be geared.
Now, you say, this does not sound like much detail. No, any good idea is
short and sweet. On our proposal - done in color with a logo (in Cree
Syllabics "For All our Relations") and with great formatting - could be read
in 30 seconds. It was a joy going around to computer stores/shops, etc and
watch people's eyes. In 10 seconds they 'knew' this was not a museum - it
was a give me and we will use creativity and with imagination.
BTW "For All OUR Relations" in Cree - one of the most 'beautiful'
ideas/words - encompasses all living things, all of nature, all people.
There is no distinction between blood, marriage or species relations.
These points are 'idea shareware' I share freely, you use, you share too.
You do not owe me so much as anyone else. The principle of the Medicine
Circle - we are all connected and we have to share all good things.
Sharing does not mean giving or pushing 'rubish'. It means 'an exchange'.
That is part of the magic of the whole thing. See your phone co for further
support/iedeas and methods. Do they not have some project in Sask?
Paul
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