Mobile Computer Labs​ for Haiti

The Haitian workforce is low-skill and ill-equipped for the modern technological world. Haiti is also a very young country with an estimated 70% of the population is under 30. Youth need tech skills to prepare them for a modern economy. Most schools in Haiti cannot afford to teach computer literacy nor provide internet access to students before they graduate.

Mobile Computer Labs (MCL) will teach high school students and those in the workforce Microsoft Office, keyboarding, website/app development, and provide internet access. MCL will leverage teaching software systems that provide relevant vocational training and skills development. 

Participants will be better prepared for the modern world. Haiti will become a better destination for investors. More jobs will be created, a trained populace will qualify. Poverty will be reduced. Connecting more people to broadband and increasing digital literacy is important for overall economic development. 

Hundreds of millions in the developing world, including Haiti, lack access to the internet and are not computer literate. In Haiti, only 35% of the population uses broadband internet.  Access is particularly unequal between rural and urban areas and among genders since only roughly 7% of women and girls have internet access. This situation restricts the countries development, as it is one of the least developed countries in the world, and its competitiveness since the regional rate for connectivity is about 80%. Thus, Haiti has a hard time attracting foreign investment. Haiti has over fifteen thousand schools. The vast majority do not provide computer training and cannot afford to. With a 

Haiti and its population are suffering from digital illiteracy due to lack of access to the internet and access to computers.  Accordingly, the goal of the Mobile Computer Labs is to begin a cycle of digital literacy in Haiti that will begin with the current generation students entering the workforce.  

Mobile Computer Labs will travel to schools and set up temporary laptop computer labs to teach computer skills, provide Internet access, and increase digital literacy to high school students preparing to enter the workforce. These movable labs will rotate through different schools for 5-6 month intervals.  At the end of each rotation, Mobile Computer Labs will work to install a permanent lab with desktop computers for continued computer and vocational training and Internet access. With more desktop computers, the permanent school labs will continue to grow to accommodate more students and will then extend to serve the community at-large after school hours and on weekends.

Select participants will be eligible to learn more advanced skills, such as website building, coding, and application development. Mobile Computer Labs will obtain laptops, desktops, solar panels, generators and other essentials to run the program. Information technology experts will provide instruction and all students who successfully complete the curriculum-appropriate tests earn a certificate. Using best practices, Home Roots Foundation, a USA-based nonprofit, will help implement this program.

Computer and digital literacy for the populace will hasten economic growth by making Haiti more attractive to foreign investment, this will create more jobs and ameliorate  socio-economic problems.

Our target population is the 80% majority, under resourced and poor population in Haiti; specifically high school students and low-skill workers. First, as a nonprofit working primarily in education, we are focusing on preparing the young Haitian demographic for employment. Second, the program will also serve the community at large after school hours and on weekends. We also recognize gender imbalances and seek to recruit and ensure women have high participation rates, especially in rural areas. Since there is a high rate of illiteracy especially in rural areas, the program will also teach basic literacy using computers and apps. 

The problem fundamentally is one of lack of resources, investment, and neglect of the needs of the poor people. Digital literacy for Haiti  will result in a more tech literate populace which will spur more investment into the country and create more jobs and income for the people. As the people get savvier and groups can communicate easier with each other, they can organize better and advocate for themselves more efficiently.

Technology is indispensable to modern society and digital literacy is requisite in a 21st century world. Lack of digital access and skills precludes poor individuals from participating in the modern economy. Thus, we will teach computer literacy, digital skills and provide internet access to thousands of students and community at-large a year.

Our nonprofit, Home Roots Foundation, already supports schools in Haiti by providing supplies, books, and tutoring to poor students. It has always been our goal to teach digital skills and one day build a STEAM school. This solution is a first step! 

The Mobile Computer Lab Program was originally piloted in the capital Port-au-Prince area but had to cease because of COVID-19. During the pilot, our IT consultants informed us of the need for better computers. We want to restart the program with better equipment and funding to increase impact.

The few schools that have computer labs in Haiti limit it to just that particular school and only a relative few are taught digital skills. Also, the community does not have access to these few labs.  Our model is innovative. Its 'mobility' enables us to teach a significantly higher number of high school students per year and serve those already in the workforce. Also, the community benefits because we leave a computer lab with the internet at the school that not only students, but the community can access and receive training in. This is part of the agreement we will have with the schools we work with. We are also helping the students become certified. Haiti is a country with a young population, our approach will help the youth prepare for a digital economy now and in the future.

Our Solution uses common everyday laptops, desktops and the internet to teach basic computer literacy, digital literacy, website and app development, and provide internet access. The computers can be new or used, if they are in working condition. 

Our Solution uses common everyday laptops, desktops, accessories and the internet to teach basic computer literacy, digital literacy, website and app development, and provide internet access. All these tools are common and widely accessible in developed countries. Surplus hardware from USA companies and Universities can be obtained for program.

There are no discernible risks

We have served 20 people. In one year, we will train 100 people. Subsequently, with more laptops and the desktops we leave in the schools for the community, in 5 years, we will train hundreds of people for a modern digital economy. If operated right with adequate resources, the program could reach thousands of people in 5 years.

The need and desire for digital skills and internet access on the part of the young in Haiti is significant. Within the next year, we will have established relationships with all relevant stakeholders pertaining to the program. At the end of year one, we will have worked out all logistics needed for a smooth program. In year two, we will work to obtain about 200 laptops and desktops to send to Haiti grow the program and serve hundreds of people. Within 5 years, thousands of high school students and community members will become digitally literate and obtain core skills for employment. Teaming up with the nonprofit Home Roots Foundation will enable us to qualify and obtain computers that are surplus from schools or businesses or new from manufacturers. We have already talked with several schools in Haiti (and a couple in the USA) about the program and talked to IT experts. 

We have set benchmarks to reach at specific time-points. At the end of this year, we want to have commitments from 10 US companies or schools and significant individuals for in-kind donations for the program.  This is our strategy to reduce cost. Also, by year's end, we will increase the list of advisors in relevant industries in Haiti and the United States.  We intend to reach out to and partner with additional groups and individuals in business, IT, education, administrations and government to partner and maximize impact. We have started and will conclude inquiries on program logistics such as transportation. We have talked to schools about the program, we will add to the list and choose best fits. Our goal for the first year is to serve 200 high school students and low-skill individuals.

We have 3 part-time individuals

We are well-positioned to deliver this solution because our team is mostly local and  experienced delivering training to small and large groups. Within the team, members are experienced in IT, education, administration, and technology development. Additionally, we have access to individuals that are experience in all areas relevant to our solutions who are willing to participate and see our success.

Our team is progressive and respects all irrespective of differences. We recognize that women are underrepresented in tech. We work to recruit women to our projects and will actively have them involved in building digital skills of Haitian society. 

We are applying to get help for the Solution which aligns perfectly with the Challenge. We are always ready to network and receive mentorship from others who could help our mission as an organization. We have beautiful ideas but need assistance in certain areas such as in-kind donations and reaching out and connecting to computer manufactures and schools with surplus programs. For us, the most important aspect of Solve by far is networking with those that can help us serve the people better. We would very much like to have the backing of MIT Solve in this regard. 

We see the beauty in our Solution in its simplicity and straightforwardness. What we need most is computer hardware, software, accessories, app development and internet. The computers would be the most costly part of the Solution, yet we can, with help, obtain them gratis in the US as a nonprofit entity. Thus, we would next be focused on raising funds through marketing and social media for the Solution. However, we will gladly accept any type of help that is available.

We are very interested in partnering with organizations that could help us achieve the Solution. This would include computer manufacturers, software providers, app developers, nonprofit executives, and faculty at MIT. We seek advice, mentorship and networking opportunities.