By Mees Mouwen, Volunteer @ Mambo in February 2026
During the month of April, I had the
pleasure of traveling to Mambo to volunteer at the Upendo Secondary School,
specifically focusing on supporting their computer classes. My primary task was
to organize and update the school’s older laptops to a more secure Windows 11
environment, ensuring that all necessary educational software was correctly
installed so the students would have full access to their curriculum.
The process began with a thorough
assessment of the existing hardware. Since quite a few laptops were broken or
malfunctioning, I first filtered out the devices that needed repairs or
recycling. Once the broken hardware was separated, I could focus my efforts on
updating the remaining, functional laptops.
However, the technical setup was not
without its challenges. Initially, my installation method failed due to
unstable network connections, forcing me to start over and pivot to a different
approach. This new method required downloading offline installation packages
totaling around 12 GB. Given the local internet speeds, it took a few days just
to gather these files. Once downloaded, however, this new approach allowed me
to install the software smoothly and efficiently across all the working
laptops.
Throughout this process, I had a
wonderful collaboration with Juma, the head of the school and the computer
teacher. While managing the hardware, I also had the privilege of observing his
computer classes and assisting with the practical lessons. These courses
primarily focused on the Microsoft Office suite, specifically Word, Excel, and
PowerPoint.
It was fascinating to observe the
classroom dynamics, though I quickly noticed a significant variance in skill
levels among the students. For many of these children, these classes represent
their only exposure to computers, making it their sole opportunity to build
digital literacy. One of my main challenges was understanding this mixed skill
level; for instance, some students were working on complex slide animations in
PowerPoint while still struggling with basic mouse navigation.
Furthermore, I noticed that the students
often lacked the creative or investigative mindset that is so crucial when
working with technology. Instead of experimenting to find a solution, they
tended to follow strict, linear steps. If they made a mistake or a step failed,
their instinct was often to close the application entirely and start over from
scratch.
Nevertheless, the school is teaching
fundamental skills that will undoubtedly help these students thrive in future
careers where digital literacy is required. It is my hope that with these
updated laptops, they will have more opportunities to explore, experiment, and
develop that vital, inquisitive tech mindset.
Finally, recognizing that the internet is
an invaluable resource for problem-solving and independent learning, I
collaborated with MamboSteunpunt to set up a small internet router at the
school. This new connection will provide the students and staff with internet
access, allowing them to learn how to use search engines effectively and find
information online independently.
I am incredibly grateful for the
opportunity to have contributed to the Upendo Secondary School community and to
have worked alongside such dedicated individuals in the Usambara Mountains.
