Updates from the Director

Dear Friends of the Sao Tome Project,

This past January, a group of five landscape architecture students from the University of Illinois, went to Sao Tome for 2 weeks to study possible design opportunities for Independence Plaza.  We measured the site, took pictures, observed activities in the area, and talked with individuals about issues and opportunities for re-imagining the plaza.

Upon return to the University, these students shared their experience with seven more students who are enrolled in my spring design studio.  The students have now developed twelve initial design concepts for the plaza that are inspired by a range of ideas.  Our hope is to get feedback from residents and people who are familiar with Sao Tome (like you!) so that we can narrow down to 3-5 designs to develop in greater detail and present to residents and officials in Sao Tome this summer.  While the work produced so far is largely conceptual, the  second phase of work will address additional issues of materials, phasing, and cost.  Based on feedback while in Sao Tome this summer, we will continue to advance appropriate aspects of this project.

Right now, however, we need your insights and feedback! The process should take less than 15 minutes and would mean a lot to the students and the integrity of the work we produce for our partners in Sao Tome.  We would like to start working on the second phase of design as early as April 5, so your quick response is VERY MUCH appreciated!

You can see all the work at the following website:

https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ljlawson/www/assets/pdf/Sao%20Tome%20Final%20Packet_small.pdf.

Once you’ve had a chance to look at the range of work, we ask that you fill out a questionnaire. While there is a copy of it in the report, I have also attached the same questionnaire to this email that you can fill out. Please fill it out, save it to your computer with a new name, and send it back to me at ljlawson@illinois.edu.  Or, you can mail the completed form to: 

 

Laura Lawson

Dept. of Landscape Architecture

101 Temple Buell Hall, MC-620

611 E. Taft Drive

Champaign, IL 61820

 

Thank you very much for considering this request. We wish you the very best and hope the images remind you of your own experiences in Sao Tome.

Written by Paul Adams

August 1st-9th

The OLPC team and I me.  The weekend was spent by most as a time to rest, to wind down and think about the tasks that needed to be completed this week. 

On Sunday, Martin, Jeanie, Sarah and Ashley traveled to the southern island of Rolas, which is on the equator.  The island has a large resort own by Pestana (Portugal).  They currently have legal issues with the Sao Tome government because they are evicting local residents in an attempt to control the entire island.  The island is beautiful with isolated beaches.  Our group had a great time exploring, swimming, resting and walking long the equator.

On Tuesday I traveled to Trinidade Secondary School to inspect the computers, which had been, distributed last year and the interview teachers/staff on their use.  This part of the research Damon and I are conducting on the sustainability and maintenance of computers in Sao Tome.  On Wednesday we continued with our interviews at the secondary school in Santana and at the community building.  The school computer lab was filled with students even though school was in recess for the summer.  The school has been conducting two classes a day.  The instruction is in basic computer usage and intro to the Internet.  Friday we traveled to Angolares and spoke with the principal of the secondary school about the computers in his facility and their usage by students and teachers.  It was a very productive week with a lot of information gathered.  Once Damon and I are back at the university we can begin to analyze the information and document our findings.

Martin and his LIS 451 students continued with their teaching of the instructors at Step Up.  The instructors were introduced to Linux operating systems.  Martin and I have discussed the distribution of Linux on existing computer labs and future computer distribution on the island.  This is part of the broader research we are conducting on sustainability of computers in disadvantaged communities.

The OLPC team spent Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings this week working once again with the teachers.  They reviewed the applications and discussed how the XO computers could be integrated into the curriculum.  Additional power strips were built and the server was to be installed at the school.  A nice touch was when the teachers presented parting gifts to the OLPC team members.  The team also worked with Elvis Neves and the tech instructors from Step Up (they teach hardware and software classes) to familiarize them with the XO applications and the components of the laptop.  The idea is that StepUp will follow up with the teachers and students throughout the year.  If there were hardware problems the computers would be brought to StepUp for maintenance.  The hope is that this will build sustainability into the project and also enable the StepUp instructors to develop additional skills.

Another weekend before we depart.  Resting, shopping for gifts and anticipating the long trip home.

Work continues at a rapid clip as the OLPC training winds down but GIS and technical training at STeP UP pick up. Research into the effectiveness of the XO laptop distribution under the new OLPC internship program.

Another busy week. Ashley and Danielle went to Roca Sao Joao on Saturday and Sunday to continue their volunteer work teaching English at the girls craft school. This included an overnight stay at the plantation house. Corey, Michael and Judy climbed Pico Sao Tome (the tallest mtn on the island) over the weekend. Early Monday Judy returned to the US and Martin Wolske, Jeanie Austin, Damon McGhee and Sarah Jackman arrived. Martin, Jeanie, Sarah, Damon and I began meeting on a daily bases to discuss implementation of our projects and research. Monday through Thursday the OLPC team conducted training sessions in the morning. The training is progressing. The final modules will be taught next week.

OLPC team member Chika Umeadi and I3 staff Judy Tolliver initiated a set of conversations with Battiloi Warritay, Assistant Director for UNICEF in So Tom. Along with Community Informatics Initiative staff Martin Wolske and Paul Adams, the University of Illinois contingent is exploring ways the two organizations can collaborate on Community Radio, GIS, and other projects.