Background:
In January 2020, the school had less than 5 functioning computers for over 1,800 students in a previous computer lab that was sponsored by the 1988 year group, but has since been converted into a classroom. Since then, the new computer lab has been moved to a new building/location on the school premises. In an effort to fix the issues at the new location, HOPSA USA-Canada installed burglar proof on all the windows and provided two air conditioners. Additionally they donated 10 desktops and 5 laptops to the school in March 2020. HOPSA 1975 also sponsored the electrical wiring of the lab in 2019/2020. Nonetheless, there was still a need for more renovation works and additional computers for the Lab. In Mid 2020, Barbara Boamah and Abena Boampong, both from the 1996 year group and HOPSA USA-CANADA embarked on a fundraising effort to further renovate the Lab and provide additional computers at $500/PC to make it fully operational for instructional purposes.
Work Done:
Structural issues related to the walls were fixed and the room got a fresh coat of paint. All broken floor tiles were removed and the floor refinished. 78 computer desks provided by the government were set-up in the new lab. On October 23rd, 2020, 20 desktops equipped with dongles, antivirus, 30 APCs, projector with screen, speakers (purchased from CompuGhana) and 2 stabilizers were delivered to the school. On March 19, 2021, an additional 16 desktop computers, 16 APC’s, 1 USB cable printer, 2 toners, 4 antivirus (4-in-one), 16 wireless adapters were delivered to HCS. This brought the total desktop computers in the HCS computer lab to 46. They included the 36 desktop computers (HP460 Intel dual processors 8GB, 1 TB storage with monitor and equipped with antivirus, stabilizers and 46 APCs for the lab) purchased during the fundraiser and the 10 desktops that were donated by HOPSA USA-Canada in March 2020. Each computer monitor was inscribed with donor name(s).
2023 Updates:
After the purchase of the additional 36 computers with accessories, an additional ~$10k was raised during the March 2021 Virtual 75th Anniversary Celebration. This money has been used to provide continuous maintenance for the computer lab. Maintenance such as tinting of windows to keep the lab cool, annual updates of the antivirus for the computers which ensure the optimal functioning of these machines, etc.
Future plans:
The initial plan of the computer lab was meant to provide access to computers for use of ICT instructional sessions. However, currently HOPSA USA-Canada provides one on one mentorship to the students and there’s need for additional computers as well additional accessories (camera, etc) to help with the mentorship program.
Over the course of the school’s history, it has been a privilege for alumnae to give back to the school through the sponsorship of various projects on campus to augment the continuous delivery of quality education. This privilege is what drives us to continue to support the needs of our alma mater. We thank you for your continuous financial support.
