Schools frustrated by 'powerless' PCs

CHIANG MAI: -- Students at a school for underprivileged children in Chiang Mai are longing for the day when mains electricity comes to their village.

Budding computer science students have since last year been able to look at, touch and imagine the possibilities of using the 25 donated computers waiting to be hooked up to a broadband Internet connection.

But imagine is all they can do.

The problem is that the village's solitary solar cell produces only enough electricity to power two fluorescent light-bulbs and a TV set in each house, while the computers sit gathering dust.

Sri-neru School in Chang Kean Village, which is on Doi Pui - the highest peak in the Doi Suthep-Pui National Park - was given five computers by the government with another 20 machines donated by a cultural organisation, said school director Sompong Wichaising.

But since then the 164 students, who are mostly hilltribe children, have been unable to use them as the village still depends on solar power, which produces insufficient amounts of electricity to power the PCs.

"If we want to use a computer we need a gasoline-powered generator, which costs as much as Bt2,000 to Bt3,000 a month for the fuel. But we can't afford that," said Sompong.

Sompong said Wat Phra That Doi Suthep used to donate money to support the cost of fuel for the school, but currently the temple only has a small amount of donations due to the decreasing number of tourist visitors.

"All we can do now is wait for the day when a power supply reaches our village," he said.

"We have many educational projects that need electricity."

Aran Yangyuenkul, a school alumnus, said it's sad and ironic that the students can only see and touch these useful hi-tech devices, but can't even switch them on.

--The Nation 2006-05-22

It would be simple to make a trite comment about the piss poor planning outlined in this article, but imagine the frustration of the students. Having the computers but only being able to look at them.

Anyone has information on where exactly this school is?

a couple of wind turbines might do the trick if they are on the side of the mountain. ( plus of course the batteries , reg and inverter )

This is not the only village; there are other village’s schools that have pc without electricity. Donor who gave it is doing for publicity.

"This is not the only village; there are other village’s schools that have pc without electricity."

Yup...there must be many other schools around which are facing certain kind of financial problems, but, would be at least a good starting point by doing a little something within one's financial ability for school(s) whose problem are made known.

"Donor who gave it is doing for publicity."

Yup...most of these doners whom emphasize on publicity are "mostly" rich "influential" Thais. There are just as many common-low to average-income Thai donors out there whom persistently requested anonymity.

Wind power as well as large solar panels are great ideas it just one small thing holding back these projects...Can anyone guess? Thats right $$$$$$$$$$$$$

"This is not the only village; there are other village’s schools that have pc without electricity."

Yup...there must be many other schools around which are facing certain kind of financial problems, but, would be at least a good starting point by doing a little something within one's financial ability for school(s) whose problem are made known.

"Donor who gave it is doing for publicity."

Yup...most of these doners whom emphasize on publicity are "mostly" rich "influential" Thais. There are just as many common-low to average-income Thai donors out there whom persistently requested anonymity.

Good point!

Doi Pui is on the mountain range just to the west of Chiang Mai. I could see Wat Doi Suthep from my windows and balconies, but her majesty's palace and the village of Doi Pui were mostly hidden behind a ridge. A road goes there, but it's remote, high, and in a small valley.

Many 'computer donation' schemes, both public and private, were poorly planned. Such as the scheme to send the parts to the schools, and have the PC's assembled by vo-tech students who weren't properly trained. Or, sending outmoded systems, not having internet hookup, or using ISP's that transmit the bytes on a water buffalo.