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    COMPUTER CLUBS FOR CHILDREN

History

The Romanian government in 1999 set as part of it's national agenda, the creation of a computer literate work force to meet the challenges of a modern society. Children's Help Net and the Andrea Foundation responded by designing a program for the benefit of children living in orphanages and from poor families. In April 1999 the first Computer Club with 10 computers (8 Macintosh SE computers donated by The Rockefeller University and 2 PCs purchased by the Andrea Foundation) was set up in an orphanage in Braila. In March 2000 Children's Help Net, in response to proposals, received a donation of 100 portable computers and 5 laser printers from AT&T and a donation of software from a Microsoft employee with a matching gift from Microsoft Corporation. Symantec Corporation donated Norton Antivirus and Norton Internet Security software. The computers were programmed and taken to Bucharest in May, 2000 by Dr. Levine. Air France waived part of the cost of transportation. Dr. Levine and Mr. Florea approached the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP Romania) and in May 2000 the Andrea Foundation was awarded a grant of $10,000 to establish two Computer Clubs, one in Bucharest and one in Sibiu. During 2000 we moved the program into the public school sytem because we realized that in addition to the original target population of institutionalized and underprivileged children we could broaden the scope of the program while cutting our operating costs. In November 2000 Children's Help Net and the Andrea Foundation signed agreements with two high schools in Braila establishing a Computer Club in each school. UNDP provided an additional $10,000 to open two more clubs in March 2001. UNDP was a partner in this program for two years. RoEduNet and MobiFon SA have provided connections to the Internet. In September 2001, together with the Association for Better Health, we expanded this program into Bulgaria with the establishment of the first Computer Club in Pleven. During 2002 we partnered with the Ministry of Education in Romania.

There are now fourteen Computer Clubs and approximately 2000 children enrolled in the program in Romania and one club with 60 children enrolled in Bulgaria.

Dr. Levine (above right) in the first Computer Club in Braila with teachers. Mr. Florea (left) in St. Nicolae Orphonage in Bucharest.

 

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