Northfield, Vermont (WCAX) – A small town in Vermont strives to bring new technology to schools around the world. Organizers say the experience changed their lives. Not only them, but also students near and far.

“This really helps them jump into the 21st century,” says Mike Macijeski.

Mike Macijeski is a retired history teacher at Northfield Middle School. After a 2015 trip with some students to the small Tanzanian village of Pommern, a project between several schools in central Vermont was born.

Our goal is to provide used laptops, iPads, and other computers at sea.

“Most schools in the US have computers on a cycle of about four years because everything is new all the time. “Hey, my school has 30 or he has 40 computers.

That’s what happened. Not once, now twice.

Last week, Masieski and other partners, like Nicole Didmenico, director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Norwich University, were able to collect hundreds of pieces of equipment, load them on pallets, and ship them.

“Some of these students have never interacted with a computer before. [spotty] equipment,” said Didomenico. “So the more we can get there, the better for them, honestly.

For DiDomenico, the partnership began over ten years ago. Over the years, she and several groups of her students have been able to help build the village from scratch, providing access to living spaces, barns, sunflower oil and bottling facilities, and more. To do.

She says what started as a simple volunteer project turned into a lifelong relationship.

“Students who know it and have seen it firsthand come back with a deeper appreciation for their opportunity and what is here. It’s not the only one, it’s a lesson for everyone.”

Organizers said the equipment is expected to arrive in Tanzania by the end of October.

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