As a Lagim Tehi Tuma Fellow, the prospective computer science major emphasized the importance of experiential technological education at the Dalun ICT Center.
For Ian Ogolla ’21, a summer journey from Haverford to Ghana meant an opportunity to inspire the next generation of learners across the globe.
"I am really interested in educating the youth and taking part in activities that broaden and develop the mental, physical, and holistic growth of the youth,” said Ogolla, a prospective computer science major.
In Ghana, Ogolla worked in the Dalun Information, Communication, and Technology (ICT) Center, a space for students in neighboring communities to utilize technological skills.
"I chose to work in the Dalun ICT Center because I strongly believe that ICT is the new revolution of the world and it is visualized to inspire development,” he said. “At Dalun ICT Center, workshops are organized for students to acquire practical skills as well as theoretical computer literacy skills.”
In addition, Ogolla helped facilitate specific workshops at the ICT center for young people in schools that lack the resources that the center can provide their students.
"We identified eight schools that lacked facilities, electricity, adequate teachers, and adequate textbooks to implement ICT programs with the aim of addressing the ‘digital divide’ between the ‘have’ and ‘have not’ schools,” said Ogolla.
Prior to starting college, Ogolla served as a volunteer tutor and mentor with organizations like Equity African Leaders Program, a selective program in Ogolla’s home country of Kenya that aims to prepare high-achieving students for future leadership roles. He credits this experience with inspiring him to pursue the Lagim Tehi Tuma Fellowship.
"The opportunity to work with Equity African Leaders Program not only nurtured leadership skills in me, but also taught me how to create a global mindset and share the training with the society,” he said. “I hope that for the short period of time that I will spend in Dalun, Ghana, I will be able to provide the students with the requisite and skills that will be useful in their respective fields of study in the future.”
A rising sophomore, Ogolla’s future in ICT is bright at Haverford and around the world.
"I hope that this summer internship will take my ICT practical training to an even higher level,” he said, “as I look forward to using ICT, in the nearby future, as a tool to promote political, socioeconomic, and sustainable development across the globe.”
“Summer Centered” is a series exploring our students’ Center-funded summer work.
