Kids build computers in summer camp

Summer camps are in full swing across the country … many are athletic, some are artistic, and others are academic. But as News Five’s Janelle Chanona reports, one highly technical session ended today at Price Barracks.

Janelle Chanona, Reporting
Having one hundred kids in a classroom is bound to be chaotic, but since Monday these boys and girls have been learning the key components, functions, and inner workings of the computer.

The summer camp is the brain child of Dr. Arlie Petters.

Dr. Arlie Petters, Petters Research Institute
“This is our future, I’m proud to have them in charge.”

Using computers donated by Duke University and Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, earlier this week the boys and girls disassembled and then rebuilt the complex machines. The big test was having the computer boot up.

Paola Zamora, Facilitator
“Now they have enough knowledge to go tinker on their own and then when they get older, they could keep doing, they could do assembling computers, they could go into software, they could go into databases. I’m trying to tell them that there’s a whole world out there for them and if they are interested, they could do so many different things, even right here in Belize. With globalisation it really doesn’t matter where you work any more”

The course has already inspired San Ignacio student Roannie Gongora to flex her new skills. She’s confident she can fix her personal computer, but the thing is…

Janelle Chanona
“What’s wrong with your computer at home?”

Roannie Gongora, Student
”Well nothing, I will just like try and bring it down and try set it up again correctly.”

Janelle Chanona
“You think your mommy will be okay with that?”

Roannie Gongora
“Well, maybe.” (chuckles)

After they got the computers working, the students learnt all about software, which is the number one reason Benque Viejo resident Alvin Mendez came to camp.

Janelle Chanona
“Alvin, how did you hear about this programme?”

Alvin Mendez, Student
“My ma tell me.”

Janelle Chanona
“And what made you decide to come?”

Alvin Mendez
“Cause I wah mek game.”

Janelle Chanona
“And what kind of game you wah mek?”

Alvin Mendez
“Like people goh dah jail and so.”

Janelle Chanona
“And why they going dah jail, what they do?”

Alvin Mendez
“Murder.”

Janelle Chanona
“You hear a lot about that why you want to make a game about that?”

Alvin Mendez
“Yap.”

While his creative slant might be questionable, according to Dr. Arlie Petters, making kids comfortable with computers and their power was the main motivation for holding the camp.

Dr. Arlie Petters
“In many ways our institute and the partnerships we have, for example with the B.D.F., we are trying to be an incubator for ideas and initiatives but we will definitely sustain it because it’s part of our mission to help in creating this digital Belize. So you’re gonna see more of this around the country and we are going to dig deeper and deeper into the technology.”

During official closing ceremonies this morning, all participants received a certificate for completing the five day course. Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.

The computers assembled during the course will be donated to the students of the Arenal Primary School.