Computer School Upgrade

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Makeni Webmaster

A major project has just been completed at MEC to upgrade the computer school and computing equipment.   The “IT Services Improvement Project” was initiated by Friends of Makeni in Holland, and in particular by Paul Jongeling and Vera Ootes.  The project began more than one year ago, at the end of 2010, when Paul solicited a donation of hardware from his employers, Total en Community Purmerend, Netherlands. You can  read more about the Makeni IT project and see some more photos in the attached pdf.

After preparing all the equipment by wiping sensitive data, the decision was made to install Edubuntu as the operating system, since there are no licence costs and the operating system is mature and stable, education friendly, and also relatively virus free. In August 2011 the final packing and transport of the equipment began from Holland.

Loading equipment in Holland

 

A server has been set up to distribute software upgrades via a local area network and many useful software bundles have been made available based on the centre’s needs, particularly relating to primary, secondary and tertiary level educational software. In addition all the computers will run a suite of useful utilities such as OpenOffice, Audacity and Picasa. Many eBooks are available, mainly covering topics taught at MEC and of general vocational interest, such as in accounting, engineering, finance, IT and management.

In January 2011 the new equipment was finally installed at Makeni Centre. Many briefings and training sessions have been held for staff members, including the school’s teachers, with the help of Mr Joseph Mumba (our Computing Lecturer) and other staff.

Camara courses are being presented, and we also hope to become fully accredited to deliver the ICDL, the International Computer Driving Licence, whose syllabus we also already use.

We give our sincere thanks to Paul Jongeling, Vera Ootes, Jan and Truus Veldkamp, Total E&C and all the volunteers who have helped throughout the many stages of this impressive project! The Computer School has been renamed the Paul Jongeling Hall to commemorate this occasion and the many many hours of hard work put in by Mr Jongeling.

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2012 Adult Training Programme

Posted on December 28, 2011 by Makeni Webmaster

For forty years Makeni Centre has been providing training to adult learners in a variety of vocational subjects, including computer skills, agriculture, carpentry, food production, electronics and tailoring.

Fees have always been kept to an affordable level, in keeping with MEC’s mission to help our community to develop.

There are still places available for the 2012 intake, which runs from 16th January to 19th March 2012.

You can read more about the skills training on offer, the examinations (including TEVETA and trade exams) and the opportunities for employment in the attached document: MEC 2012 Training Opportunities.

For further information about the courses and fees, please contact the Training Coordinator at Makeni Centre, Box 50255, Lusaka.

Or you can telephone 272853 or 272437.
Or email meccentre@iconnect.zm


Posted in Adult education, Agriculture, Carpentry, Computing, Electronics School, Tailoring | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

40th anniversary and graduation

Posted on November 6, 2011 by Makeni Webmaster

On the 14th of October we celebrated Makeni Centre’s 40th anniversary, which was timed to coincide with graduation day for the latest crop of graduates in agriculture, electronics and food production.

Our guest of honour was Mama Chibesa Kankasa, who was amongst the freedom fighters before Zambia’s independence and later served in President Kaunda’s government, and was minister for women’s affairs from 1969 to 1988.

Mama Kankasa also supported the work of Makeni Ecumenical Centre, or as it was then, the Lusaka Nutrition Group, from its earliest days in the late 1960s.

Makeni Centre was officially opened in 1972 by president Kenneth Kaunda for the unveiling of a commemorative plaque, but work on the site began in 1970, so we have (somewhat arbitrarily) selected 2011 as our 40th anniversary.

The day began with a tour of the centre, dancing, and displays from  various departments in the Commonwealth Hall. The primary school children entertained us with descriptions and short sketches of what they wanted to do when they grow up.

35 graduates and many friends and families and invited guests joined us on a hot day to enjoy a number of speeches, dances by the Anansi Nkondo dancing troupe, music from the St Andrews Boys Brigade brass band accompanied by a marching troupe, and a drama group.

You can see some video here of the graduates entering the arena. MEC40thAnniversary1 (You might need to use windows media player to see this. I hope to do some better video soon.)

Father Mukuyamba, Anton Dil, Joseph Mumba and Mama Kankasa were interviewed live by Phoenix radio. Afterwards there were meals and refreshments.  Everyone seems to have enjoyed the day very much!

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Join us for our 40th birthday on the 14th October!

Posted on October 2, 2011 by Makeni Webmaster

Did you work at MEC? Were you a student? Were you or are you a volunteer?

Thousands of people have passed through our gates over the last 40 years – yes, that’s how long it’s been since we opened; a bit longer, in fact.  It was in April 1971 that we were officially opened by President Kenneth Kaunda.

Kenneth Kaunda opening MEC in 1971

This year we are celebrating our 40th year serving the community, educating, providing health services, and training farmers, amongst other things!

Will you join us for our birthday party and graduation on the 14th of October, 2011?

The Boys’ Brigade will be marching on Makeni Road around 7.30 a.m and Anansi Nkondo will be performing at MEC from 8-9 a.m.

From 9.30-11 we expect the arrival of the guest of honour and other invited dignitaries and tours of the centre to take place before seating for the main events.

There will be a graduating class of MEC students to congratulate and award certificates and we are also expecting some special guests and old friends to be with us to share their memories, congratulations and wishes for the future.

There will be photographic displays, information about the various departments, and entertainments, including St Andrews Boys band and a local drama group, as well as food and refreshments on hand.

Do come along and help us to make it a special day.

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