Pass-It-On Awards Program: October 2008 Systers Pass-It-On Award Winners
Imelda I.
Project Title:
Pathways to Technology
Project Description:
Imelda has always had an interest in, and has spent several years learning, graphic design. She has taken a number of courses in computer technology and graphic design and is currently enrolled at City College of San Francisco. Imelda works two jobs while enrolled in this program and is unable to use the school’s computer lab that is fully equipped with Apple computers loaded with the appropriate graphic design software. In order to apply the classroom learning, she needed to purchase a Mac computer and the graphic design software, Creative Suite 4 (CS4).
Imelda came to the United States from El Salvador as a political refugee in the 1990s. Since her arrival in this country she has worked hard and sought out learning opportunities in order to achieve her goals. She has never stopped dreaming or striving to reach these goals. Without having a computer and appropriate software Imelda was not sure if she would be able to effectively complete the program. Imelda wants to be able to graduate from this graphic design program and be an example of a working class Latina immigrant woman who can inspire other women to pursue careers in graphic design. Her Systers Pass-it-on Award will help fund a laptop computer in order for her to master her classroom learning.
Ester L.
Project Title:
BSc in Information Systems and Network Engineering
Project Description:
Ester has been accepted into undergraduate studies for a Bachelor’s of Science in Information Systems and Network Engineering at the St. Joseph College of Engineering in Tanzania. Ester is the only female in her family or her village who has ever applied for this level of education, engineering studies. After receiving support from Systers Pass-it-on Awards, Ester will pursue this degree and will be among the few women who have reached the university level in Tanzania. Upon graduation, Ester will be able to help other women in providing education, supporting women’s organizations, fighting against discrimination, and many other cultural, political, social, financial, and environmental challenges. Her Systers Pass-it-on Award will fund her first year of studies.
Evilita Lusiana J.
Project Title:
Computer School for Indigenous Girls in the Traditional Community in Jayapura District of Indonesia
Project Description:
Evilita provides education especially for indigenous children, girls and women who live in the Jayapura district of Indonesia, from Tami to Mambramo. This is a pilot program that began in January 2008 and will start again in January 2009. Those who live in the villages of the Jayapura district do not have access to computers. This school strives to teach elementary, junior high and high school girls Microsoft Word, Excel, and the Internet which will enable them to improve their standard of living. This program for girls targets those who drop out of school or who graduate but cannot continue on to a university or find a job. For the first three months of 2008, Evilita worked twice a week spending two to three hours teaching each class. A local family offers part of their home for use as a classroom and electricity, paper and ink are donated for use by the school. To date, many local girls have been turned away from the school due to lack of resources. Evilita’s Systers Pass-it-on Award will fund laptop computers so that she can accept more girls into the program.
Yolanda P.
Project Title:
Miss IT Mini Camp January 2009-March 2009
Project Description:
Yolanda works with 4th and 5th grade girls in Athens, Georgia, United States. The Miss IT Mini Camps provide technology skills that hopefully will spark an interest in technology-related opportunities and careers, and provide leadership opportunities for the girls. Campers will participate in three technology workshops. Subjects include digital arts/digital photography, video editing, and Web page construction for submission to a Digital Arts competition. These workshops will be conducted bi-monthly beginning in January 2009 and will conclude in March 2009 with a public exhibition of work done by the campers. The initial mini-camp will be held at Gaines Elementary School during the spring 2009 semester with twenty students.
Expansion of the project is scheduled to include STEM components in following years. Summer 2009 will include camps in technology, and science. Summer 2010 will include an offering of camps in technology, math, and science. Summer 2011 will include technology, math, science and engineering. Mini Camps will be conducted in both Spring and Fall Semesters of 2009. Camp sites will rotate to different elementary school campuses in Athens, Georgia. Each year, campers from the previous years may apply to be counselors for the next year. They will, with adult supervision, assist new campers. Scholarships will be provided to students who cannot afford camp admission. Camp costs will be kept as low as possible to encourage participation from a variety of students across socio-economic ranges. Yolanda’s Systers Pass-it-on Award will fund digital cameras for the campers to learn digital photography, video editing and Web page construction.