A Dubai-based geography teacher is pushing the boundaries to bring awareness and knowledge to some of the most underprivileged children in the world. Tamin-Lee Connolly's mission is to gather 5,000 solar-powered laptops for children in five African countries.
A South African herself, Connolly has already raised enough cash to buy 950 laptops made by One Laptop Per Child, a US-based non-profit association that researches and develops low-cost educational tools, but still needs to raise funds for her 50,000-kilometre drive to Africa.
"We are going into some of the deepest, darkest rural areas of Africa, where half the villages don't even have electricity. We want to provide an opportunity to these kids who are deprived of even the most basic education," Connolly said. "We want to open the world to them and we need help to do that."
Young philanthropist
The 27-year-old has been actively participating in charity since she was 14.
"I have always been involved with the Duke of Edinburgh charity programme during my schooldays and continued after school as well. I've travelled the world on missions and worked with homeless children, kids suffering from Aids, painted murals — you name it, I've done it. The smiles on these kids' faces are motivation and incentive enough. And even now, I try and do as much as I can, because the teaching profession allows you a lot of holidays."
Her year-long drive through Africa starting in July next year will take her through Burundi, Mozambique, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone. "I will be driving through Oman and Yemen and take the ferry to Eritrea and drive along Africa's coastline. But in case Yemen is not safe, I will go through Saudi Arabia. I will meet the shipments in each country, which will then be distributed to predetermined areas. I will also be doing other volunteer work on the way."
A project of this proportion can never be accomplished alone and Connolly too has been ably supported by her five friends — Vivian Veldstra Botha and her husband Christoffel, Cora Marie van der Merwe and her husband Gabriel, and Robert Laubsher.
"Nothing would have been possible without their support. They work as my PA, my public relations officer, media director and financial adviser. We are now known as the ‘Everything except the horn' team. Also, this project could not have been possible without Lola, from the Volunteers In Dubai organisation, which is gathering volunteers to educate teachers in Africa to use the laptops. As soon as we source the first 1,000 laptops, we will sign a contract with Volunteers In Dubai."
However, she finds the participation of young people in the UAE in charity missions lacking.
"Throughout my schooldays, I was involved in charity and I wasn't alone. But the schools in the UAE lack that drive — maybe that's because of the amount of paperwork and approvals they need to do. But the Emirates International Schools, where I work, will be working with me from the next academic year in a major way."
Leading by example
Her indomitable spirit can been seen in the fact that she did not allow a freak accident that ended her budding swimming career to overpower her. The doctors told her she would never be able to use her legs again.
Yet, she trained to be a sports teacher and, today, not only coaches the swimming team of her school but is also a regular off-roader.
"I have been an off-roading fanatic from the minute I was born. My father is a keen off-roader as well. But driving in the sand is a whole new ball game. I find my escape in the desert. There is nothing better than watching the sunset or sunrise over miles and miles of sand dunes," she says.
"I will be ending my year-long journey back in Dubai. I love Dubai and it has a lot to offer."
The machine
The XO is a learning tool designed and built especially for children in developing countries, living in some of the most remote environments. It's about the size of a small textbook. It has built-in wireless and a unique screen that is readable under direct sunlight for children who go to school outdoors. It's extremely durable, energy-efficient and fun. It has built-in functionality for still and video photography, voice-recording and games. It can work with a range of external devices. Along with everything you'd expect from a laptop keyboard, it provides some innovative keyboard shortcuts. Four buttons along the top left of the keyboard allow children to navigate through the collaborative "zoom" levels to see others and their shared activities and employs a novel dual-mode touchpad with sensor technology that supports both finger touch and a stylus.
Features
II Approximate dimensions: 242×228×32mm
II Approximate weight: 1.45kg with LiFeP battery; 1.58kg with NiMH battery
II Configuration: Convertible laptop with pivoting, reversible display; dirt- and moisture-resistant system enclosure; no fan
How to get involved
If you want to find out how to make a donation email Tamin-Lee directly at: tamin@everythingexceptthehorn.com
You can also sponsor Tamin-Lee Connolly's expedition by logging on to www.everythingexceptthehorn.com or the Everything Except The Horn page on Facebook
