Hey there, Pitt! It’s been just over a month since my incredible journey to Sierra Leone, and boy, do I miss it. In case you haven’t been following my previous blogs, let me quickly catch you up. Back in May, I packed my bags and headed to the northern village of Kabala in Sierra Leone, with a mission to improve STEM learning for a local primary school. Teaming up with fellow Pitt student, Luke Charlesworth, we collaborated with the nonprofit World Possible Sierra Leone and community leaders to bridge the existing educational gap using solar-powered remote learning technology.
Fast forward five weeks, and guess what? We did it! …well, sort of. We completed the installation of the solar system comprising of two 250-watt solar panels and a 400-ampere-hour battery bank. With over 30 tablets now available for the students to use, the school was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. However, we came back with 100 new questions and obstacles to climb, some of, which we would’ve never even considered without being present in the school. We are still deciding on the best approach for implementing the entire system within the school’s schedule, among other discrepancies, but we aim to have our model fully aligned come the start of the new school year in September.
Installing a robust system to support all the learning tech was a feat to be proud of, but we knew that without the proper oversight and personnel, our system would never reach its full potential. So, we conducted intensive training sessions, equipping all the 4th, 5th, and 6th-grade teachers with the skills and knowledge to navigate the technology. From exploring the virtual academic resources to basic troubleshooting skills, they were now ready to embark on a new educational journey alongside their students.
In the spirit of learning and improvement, we also conducted classroom experiments. We observed how the teachers used the technology with their classes and how the students embraced it, helping improve both students’ and teachers’ technical proficiency. It was amazing to witness the enthusiasm and engagement of the students as they dove into the world of knowledge presented to them through the tablets. Their eagerness to learn was infectious, and it was rewarding to see them staying after school for hours on end, completely occupied by various Khan Academy and CK12 lessons.
Honestly, I can’t express how proud and humbled I felt during my moments away. Our hope was to generate a sustainable impact on the students and community, but in turn, they ended up leaving a mark on me as well. The experience has ignited a passion in me for engineering applications with a humanitarian focus. Witnessing the transformative power of technology through this project, in enhancing education and improving lives, has set a new course for my future.
Returning to the US, required a larger personal adjustment for me than I anticipated. My perspective had shifted, and I couldn’t help but see the world through a different scope. The challenges and inequalities I once took for granted now hold a greater significance.
Moving forward, I am now more determined to focus my engineering skills on projects that make a positive impact on underserved communities. The path may not always be easy, but my experience in Sierra Leone has shown me that with some thought, determination, and a lot of sweat…most goals are not as far as they may appear.
My journey in Sierra Leone was nothing short of life-changing. We completed our trip, empowering students and teachers with the tools they need to succeed, however, our mission has just begun, hoping to impact more lives and communities.
