(Wednesday, April 6, Day 289)

"The contents of this website are mine personally and do not reflect any position of the U.S. Government or the Peace Corps."

Phrase of the day: Disculpame, me preguntaste para ensenar computacion en el nuevo Infocentro porque estoy moreno?... I'm sorry, did you just ask me to teach computer literacy in the new Information Center because I'm brown?

Lucky for you, I can do just that!

For the past year or so, the government of Ecuador has been setting up computer labs throughout the country, primarily in rural and/or poorer areas. They have made it to San Isidro!
The Junta Parroquial(local government) fixed up a room in their building to set up the new lab. It's not too shabby. I told them they have to put in a roof and air conditioning though; it's way too dusty and warm in there.
The government of Ecuador donated 5 computers with tables and internet for the lab for 3 years. The government's main goal is to increase computer literacy in the country, so that the people can be competetive in the world.
For the time being, I'm kind of in-charge of the place. Whenever I have time, I open the lab for anyone to come and use. It costs $0.50/hr, which is half the cost of the internet cafe in town. Really though, I only go because I have classes to teach basic computer skills to kids and older ladies who wish to learn!
And by being "in-charge", it also mean I get to decorate it in any way I wish. Yeah, there's no need to even translate it. All that matters is that Bruce Lee said it!

Sadly, the majority of the people who come are high school students. And I only say sadly because the youth of Ecuador are like the youth of everywhere. Goooo Facebook.
False. But no worries, I'm hoping to change that when I return from vacation. I'm going to promote the center more and try to get more people who have never/barely used computers to come.