The Computer for Janko the Musician
In the second half of 1999, there appeared a new programme in the Foundation, because of which children and teenagers from rural communities had a bigger access to computer hardware and improved their knowledge about software. Because of the informatic consequences connected with the entering in the new millenium many companies, banks and institutions made the decision about exchanging hardware with a new one – modern and reliable.
The Foundation, willing to take advantage of this situation, proposed implementation of the program called "The Computer for Janko the Musician." Computers, that for modern and information-developed companies will be almost useless, can certainly bring a lot of benefit and joy for young people living in rural areas, who often have not even seen yet computer "live," not to mention the skills of its use. Jolanta Kwasniewska's Foundation "Communication Without Barriers" willing to contribute to even a partial change in such a situation, engaged itself in the transmission of computer hardware to the most appropriate hands.
The program was implemented in two ways:
We wanted to open computer labs in rural primary schools (basing on computers received from companies), we offered participating in a literary contest to children aged 8-12 years, especially from rural schools, and asked them to submit their work, reflections and proposals which came up in connection with entering the world in the new millennium. The most interesting works were awarded with computer equipment, which was sent to the poorly equipped rural schools in various places in Poland. We asked to submit their works, at the adress of the Foundation to the end of January 2000, on one topic chosen from:
1. If I had a computer ...
2. In pursuing what dream the third millennium school would help me.
There were awarded with in-kind prizes and computers for their schools two authors:
Caroline from the 6th class of Primary School in Drołtowice and Martin Sz. from the 8th class from Primary School in Osiek Łużycki.
The implementation of the programme "The Computer for Janko the Musician" was finally completed in the first quarter of 2002.
