Project Laptop
This project also has a Changeshop where you can read more about its latest progress.
Go to Changeshop: Project Laptop.
Empowerment, Education, Economics, Empathy
About You
About You
First Name
Smita
Last Name
Dharsi
Twitter URL
Facebook URL
About Your Organization
Organization Name
Montrose Roots & Shoots
Organization Website
Organization Country
United States, NJ, South Orange, Essex County
Country where this project is creating social impact
Tanzania, KI, Ujiji
Is your organization a
Non‐profit / NGO / Citizen sector organization
Your role in Education
Teacher.
The type of school(s) your solution is affiliated with
Public (tuition-free)
How long has your organization been operating?
1‐5 years
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Innovation
Select the stage that best applies to your solution
Growth (your pilot is up and running, and starting to expand)
How long has your solution been in operation?
Operating for less than a year
The Need: What problem are you trying to solve?
Lack of electricity, education, technology and economic development.
The Solution: What is your solution? Be specific!
Going there in the summer with laptops/other tech tools and volunteering to implement curriculum and other advocacy tools.
The Model: Walk us through a specific example of how your solution makes a difference; include your primary activities
The Education authority in Kigoma has told the students there, "we can't connect you to the power grid because you don't have anything that requires electricity." Therefore, by bringing tech tools to the community will serve a dual purpose. The students in US are engaged in raising awareness and funds. They are also interested in communicating with each other to participate in global issues.
The Marketplace: Who are your peers and competitors? Identify others also working to address the needs you are and what differentiates you from them. What challenges could these players pose to your success or growth?
This is a bottom up volunteer collaboration with the maximum resources going to the project.
Now that you have thought out your entry, help us pitch it.
Define your company, program, service, or product in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
We are a Service Learning group, member of the larger Roots and Shoots Organization. We embark on a long term project each year.
Identify what is innovative about your solution in 1-2 short sentences [136 characters]
It would take so little to make an ENORMOUS difference in the lives of the community in Tanzania.
Social Impact
This Entry is about (Issues)
What has been the impact of your solution to date?
There is a 650 student Primary School in Tanzania and their community that is excited about this project. They will be able to have electricity and begin to have tools to solve economic and educational issues and have access to the global information that we take for granted here in the US.
What is your projected impact over the next 1-3 years?
With grassroots collaboration we would like to set up a Technology Lab with cameras, printers, laptops, ipods, projectors so that more than one school can take advantage of the opportunities afforded.
Winning entries present a strong plan for how they will achieve and track growth. Identify your six-month milestone for growing your impact
Raise $15,000 by June. Volunteer for 6 weeks in Tanzania over the Summer to collaborate with the Roots & Shoots Community.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your six-month milestone
Task 1
Use the resources from "One Bead at a Time" ( http://www.web.me.com/smitadharsi/onebeadatatime/Home.html )
Task 2
Design and create products for fundraising.
Task 3
Search for other resources such as recycled electronics, donors, grants, family, friends.
Now think bigger! Identify your 12-month impact milestone
Ultimate goal is to raise $50,000 for lab start up, equipment, seed money for local economic development.
Identify three major tasks you will have to complete to reach your 12-month milestone
Task 1
Collaborate with Mr. Edward, the Program Director of Roots & Shoots, Tanzania.
Task 2
Seek and collaborate with other organizations who have an infrastructure already in place in East Africa.
Task 3
Form a local collaborative for incubator projects.
Founding Story: We want to hear about your "Aha!" moment. Share the story of where and when the founder(s) saw this solution's potential to change the world [125 words]
It was while I was visiting a Roots & Shoots club in Kigoma, I asked the students for what was it they needed the most (they don't have anything). Their emphatic reply was "a computer". When I pointed out that they were not connected to electricity - they told me that if they had a computer then they would be able to justify their need ("lobby for") to the local education authority and they would then be able to get connected. This was my "Aha" moment!! Jane Goodall's organization has numerous projects in place there and this would just built upon existing structures.
Sustainability
Tell us about your partnerships
Roots & Shoots, One Bead at a Time, SK Chemicals (corporate donor)
Local student community and their families.
What type of team (staff, volunteers, etc.) will ensure that you achieve the growth milestones identified in the Social Impact section? [75 words]
Students and their families, the faculty, my family.
Please elaborate on any needs or offers you have mentioned above and/or suggest categories of support that aren't specified within the list
 | 59 weeks ago Smita Dharsi updated this Competition Entry. |
| 59 weeks ago Smita Dharsi updated this Competition Entry. |
| 59 weeks ago Smita Dharsi updated this Competition Entry. |
| 59 weeks ago Smita Dharsi submitted this idea. |
