Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Australia, in partnership with The East West Overseas Aid Foundation (TEWOAF), is developing a computer learning facility for a girls’ orphanage, the Uluru Children’s Home, in Tamil Nadu, India.
Alex Craven, a UWA Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate helped to expand a current six node pilot network into a multi-function centre supporting 35 computers for the Uluru Children’s Home.

These computers have been successfully installed with connection to a standard Ethernet network. A single server has allowed for all computers to access the internet which has greatly benefited the girls and the orphanage.
Alex has also provided training for the in-house IT staff. He aims to provide each group house with a functional computing facility but more importantly to pass on his knowledge and skills to staff so that the computers can be maintained and the system extended independently.

Alex and his team are also developing a learning programme based on the nearby school’s curriculum. These programmes are designed to supplement regular school lessons in English, Maths and Science.
Founded by TEWOAF, the home shelters Indian girls, mostly from rural communities, who have been abandoned by their parents.

In 2006, the home provided 80 girls with food, clothing and access to health care and education.

Media references

For more information please contact Kim Axworthy or visit the EWB website.