New Life Int. Children's Home Receives ICT Support from New Jersey-based NGO

Source: Brooke Nuwati
Cape Coast, June 15, 2010 - New Jersey based International NGO, Students Bridging the Information Gap (SBIG), has completed another computer lab and library complex this time for New Life International Children's Home (New Life) located in Ansapatu in the central region. This is the third computer lab and library that SBIG has completed in Ghana following the successful launch of such facilities for Baptist School and Orphanage (BASCO) located in Trotor near Koforidua in the Eastern Region in 2008 and Good Shepherd Orphanage located at Ofaakor, near Kasoa in the Central Region in 2009.

In addition to the 148 students and orphans from New Life, approximately 500 students from St Peters Anglican Primary and Junior High School and 445 students from Effutu LA Primary and Junior High School will also gain access to the computer lab and library. With over 300 students served by BASCO and over 400 students served by GSO, the computer labs and libraries completed by SBIG will now provide approximately one thousand eight hundred (1800) school children with a unique opportunity to acquire the needed skills and knowledge to compete in the modern world of technology.

For New Life, SBIG provided the computer lab with 20 Inveneo computers, desks and chairs along with a library complex well equipped with relevant books and other library materials. In addition to the low voltage desktop computers, SBIG also provided a laptop computer, a laser printer, an LCD projector, a battery pack and inverter. The computer lab and library were dedicated after a grand commissioning of the project witnessed by teachers, parents, community leaders and members as well as volunteers and partners from Ghana and the USA.

Located in the village of Ansepatu, New Life International Children's Home is situated in a rural setting after Cape Coast, close to the Kakum National Park, a famous tourist attraction site in Ghana. The orphanage was founded in 1997 and is fully licensed with the Department of Social Welfare. Mr Derrick Fletcher Gaise is the Managing Director in charge of the orphanage along with a separate Board of Directors.

SBIG believes the world is in an ICT age and, in order to prosper in the increasingly technology driven society, every child should be given the opportunity to learn and develop his or her skills in the new field. The New Life International Children's Home project, just as in the past is supported by partners and volunteers including Inveneo who supplies low voltage computers (www.inveneo.com), 1ViLLAGE who sees to the installation of the computers, electrical and internet systems, Global Media Alliance who serve as media partners and Microsoft who supplies software for all the computers.

SBIG has also assembled a team of local volunteers in Ghana to assist its efforts and to provide oversight and ensure accountability with local orphanages and schools. SBIG appeals to individuals, corporate bodies, NGOs and other groups of people to support their good cause.

Tom Killian, President of SBIG, commented that SBIG is delighted to add New Life to the group of reciepient organizations and looks forward to working with Mr Gaise and the New Life staff. SBIG will continue to assist Ghanaian iinstitutions such as those represented here today through the provision of computers, books and other materials that will enhance their learning opportunities and prospects for the future.