On October 17th, 75 hardworking students without PCs at home arrived at Kramden Institute to pick up their newly refurbished computer during our Mini Geek-A-Thon and Award Day. Students were asked "How was life difficult for you and your family without a computer at home? How will the computer you are being awarded today make your life better?" Take a look at some of their responses:

 "It was very difficult to get my son to the library in the afterword to use the computer for homework assignments to match with my schedule. This computer will make life a lot better as far as education for my son and our time. We will no longer be limited by the 30 minute time use for the computer at the library"

 

"Life was difficult for me and my family because when I did reports, I couldn't type what had to be done and I always had to wait until I went to school to do it. Now, I can type a paper, save it, and print it at school!"

 

"Now that I have m own computer, I can do a lot of research for papers and essays;  it will allow me to be more informed about college, applications, and scholarships" 

"I have never had a computer in my life at a house that I have lived in. I am very thankful for this opportunity to receive this computer. I twill now help me to have my assignments dont on time and will help improve my grades"

" Without a computer at home, it has been difficult because when we have assignments that have to be typed, I couldn't bring my work home to complete. We also have extra credit opportunities that we can do on a website, I would like to do itm but I would have to go to the library at school. Life without a computer can be hard. The computer that I am awarded tofay will make my life better, It will really help me to do more things for school. Thank you so much Kramden!"  

The following blog post was written by a summer volunteer that learned, through her volunteer work  with Kramden, that her family was awarded a Kramden computer. Read her story below:

 

 

My name is Bethany Wheeler and I am an eighteen year old upcoming sophomore education major at Campbell University. I currently live and grew up in Durham, NC, with my mother and two sisters; Andrea Wheeler, a Junior at North Carolina Central University and Casey Wheeler, a Sophomore at C.E. Jordan High School. A few years ago my family went through some hard times and due to our situation we had to move out of our home and into an apartment. At our new residence we did not know anyone around us and resources were scarce. During our move my eleven year old sister, Casey Wheeler, attended Githens Middle school, where she was and over achiever to say the least. Unfortunately, without a computer in our home a lot of things remained undone and in her case undiscovered.

One day Casey came home from school proudly waving a piece of paper from her teacher in her had. The document was a letter informing my mom of a program giving deserving honor-roll students computers. Within a week, at a give-a-way event, we were blessed and given a computer for our home.

The computer we received that night carried my older sister, Andrea, and I through High School helping us prepare for college and allowed my younger sister to grow into the honor student she remains today. Without the help of the organization who supplied us with our computer, our family would have been faced with even more struggles then already presented to us.

I was recently given the task to complete volunteer hours. Not sure of a local organization needing help I decided to search the web. After searching the internet for a while I came across Kramdens website. Unaware of what of what type of services I would be doing, and unsure of what cause I would be helping, I figured I would at least try it out.

I spent most of the first few days at Kramden exploring what it was that the organization did, who they were and how many people they truly help.  After volunteering with Kramden for a few days, as I was filing papers, I noticed one of the recipient receipts was labeled at the top: “recipient: Casey Wheeler“. Reading further I discovered that it was in fact the receipt that was filled out when our family received our computer, and that the organization I was volunteering at was the same on that provided me with the resources to find them; the computer. Seeing that paper brought back many memories and made me realize that Kramden Institute does more than just aid students with computers, Kramden Institute helps children and young adults build their future by connecting them to the world they live in through technology.

This summer I was able to attend and volunteer at many different events, including the Lenovo geek- a- ton, Wednesday work nights, and the Ft. Bragg give- a- way. I was nervous that I was not going to know what to do or be any help at all, but each event was an opportunity for me to give back and show everyone how amazing this organization really is. The people I met and the relationships I made volunteering were almost as great as the actual work being done. I enjoyed my time with all the volunteers and admire all the hard work and dedication they put into their work. Without the help my family received from Kramden, I would not be where I am today.

Imagine if you did not have use of a home computer for the last 10 years... or for the last 10 days.  Imagine if you were a student and did not have a computer at home...

 

 Kramden Awards computers to students in North Carolina that are hardworking, and academically motivated but do not have a computer at home. Our recipients  are kids that are working hard in school academically. They're staying after school late, and going to school early. They spend countless hours in computer labs and public libraries. They have to go above and beyond in order to be on the same playing field with their classmates that have computers at home.  Can you imagine being a student without access to a home computer? Josh Shumann, Kramden's Technical Support Specialist, undertook a social experiment in which he went 24 hours without using his home computer. Take a look at his thoughts below. 

Living in the past, disliking the present, while having hope for the future. 

24 Hours without a personal computer... easy? 

“The library will be closing in five minutes, so if you would, finish what you are working on, and prepare to leave.”  A Liberian at my campus announced for all to hear. “oh, no.” I said as I put my hands to my face.

 This was the situation last week Thursday, as the library was closing. I had much more work to do that night; Emails that needed to be sent for Kramden Institute, Inc. and student government, friends that “needed” return emails, and to top it all off I still needed to access blackboard (Blackboard is the online version of classes that we have at my school, and students are expected to access this.) to do my homework, and study for upcoming tests.

 It was 8:30pm and as I was walking to my car, I remember thinking to myself, is the public library still open? I wonder if my neighbor is still up and would let me run my computer programs that I have to test for class?

 In the end, I decided not to go to the library. Which was good decision,  because I would’ve only had about 15 minutes there, before they too would close.As for my neighbor, I decided not to bother him-he getts home really late from his daily commute to Greensboro and is probable in a similar exhausted state of mind…well, except for the fact that he has a computer that he can use in his home…

 Finally, at 9:30pm I pulled into my driveway -I still needed to eat dinner and make lunch for tomorrow and by 10:45pm I was tired and feeling just a little overwhelmed ,while counting the seconds to midnight, as I sat reading my math book.

 At last, as my watch beeped to let me know that midnight had at last come. I wasted no time turning on my computer and working on a little of my homework. “That wasn’t so bad” I thought- completely forgetting the day that I had just lived

 What I took from this experience:

•  We as a society have become VERY dependent upon computers and the internet to accomplish daily tasks-more so then I thought
• In this present day, one needs to be “connected” to accomplish all of their daily work on time
• We as a society need to find a way to make it so that no one ever needs to go home at the end of the day with their work incomplete, or worry if they are going to fail a class.

Kramden Institute has made a significant impact in closing the digital divide in North Carolina. With over 4,000 computers awarded to hardworking and disadvantaged students, 16,000 people now have access to a home computer. 

 

 Take a look at the distribution maps below created by Kramden volunteer Allison Najman.  

 

Map A: The frequency of computers awarded by zip. 

 As a Durham based non-profit, Kramden clearly awards more computers to hardworking students in the RTP Area than in other North Carolina locations. 

 

 

Map B: North Carolina zip codes with at least 1 Kramden recipient

Kramden has awarded computers to students all over the state of North Carolina 

 

Kramden has the capacity to refurbish almost 3,000 computers in 2009 alone. With appropriate funding and support, Kramden can reach every town in North Carolina, and ultimately- the country. 

 

It costs $65 to refurbish a computer for a deserving student. Help us add a peg to our map by donating to Kramden today. 

 

The Following blog post was written by Josh Schumann:

 

 

Hello to all of Kramden’s geeks (this encompasses everyone),

 

My name is Joshua Schumann, and I am the Computer repair technician at Kramden Institute, Inc., I handle Computer problems from recipients over the phone, repair computers that come back, and also help in the testing and refurbishment process.

 

I would like to now take the opportunity to dive into an issue that has come to be very important to the sanity of every person whom has a computer; MALWARE or rather maintaining the lack of malware on one’s computer.

 

So, what is malware??  The definition of malware includes viruses, adware, spyware, trojans and any other annoying/bad programs that should not be on one’s computer.  Ok, so, now that you know a little about what malware is, here comes how to rid your system of the malicious software.

 

These are programs that you can download, are FREE, with no strings attached

Though donations I am sure are always deeply appreciated

Just follow the links to download the Anti-malware programs

 

(Anti-Malware) http://www.malwarebytes.org/

 

(Anti-spyware)  http://www.safer-networking.org/en/ownmirrors1/index.html

 

(Anti-Virus)      http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

 

( Anti-Virus)     http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

 

( Anti- Virus)   http://free.avg.com/download-avg-anti-virus-free-edition?cmpid=fr_bn_free_670

 

 (Anti-Adware) http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

 

 

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that I will be doing an experiment in about a week or two to see what it is like for me; a guy that is dependent on a personal computer and the Internet for work/school.

I will see what it is like to go without a personal computer, and personal internet for 24 hours.

 

I'm doing this in the hopes that it will show everyone just how much a personal computer, and personal Internet are needed in today's ever changing world.

 

 

With only 2 full time employees, Kramden Institute relies on the generosity of volunteers to close the digital divide. Kramden volunteers have donated countless hours refurbishing computers for hardworking, underprivileged students in North Carolina. Our volunteers have helped over 4,000 students obtain access to a home computer, effectively enhancing their academic potential and civic engagement. Our volunteers make this happen.

 

In 2006, 61 million volunteers dedicated over 8 billion volunteer hours in the United States. North Carolina, however, is not known for its volunteerism[i]. With only 30% of residents that volunteer, North Carolina ranks 29 out of 50 states in a national report on volunteer participation[ii]. Nonetheless, 1.73 million people in North Carolina volunteered for over 206 million hours in 2006[iii]. Kramden alone has had over 2,500 volunteers actively supporting our efforts to enrich the lives of K-12 students in North Carolina. By dedicating their talents to our organization, our volunteers have helped over 16,000 people cross the digital divide. Our volunteers have contributed over $385,751.52 of free labor to Kramden based on the $17.64 dollar value for one volunteer hour in North Carolina [iv].

 

Thank you, to all of our volunteers that have supported, and continue to support Kramden and our programs.

 

For volunteer opportunities with Kramden, please visit: http://www.kramden.org/volunteer/upcoming-events

 

 

 

On July 18th, 86 hardworking students without PCs at home arrived at Kramden Institute to pick up their newly refurbished computer during our Mini Geek-A-Thon and Award Day. Students were asked "How will your new computer be helpful to you and your family?" Take a look at some of their responses:

 

Tia E., 8th Grade

My computer will be helpful in most of my school work in the coming years. My mom and I will not have to go to the public libraries to get information or school assignments and work related job searches for my mom. I would be able to do all of my reports and studies. I am so excited. Thank you all very much!

 

Emmanuel M. (2nd grade) and Janvier M. (4th grade) 

Emmanuel- I  want a computer because it will help me to develop my english, to cumminicate with others. From the computer, I will know how to calculate... The computer is my library.

Janvier- I want a computer because it will help me to know more about it. For me, the computer is a mystery, but is a moment to know more things about it. The computer is my heart. When U learn, my family will learn. 

 

Isaac A. (Kindergarden)

I have 3 brothers, they are age 11, 7, and 4. Having a computer will help us learn to use a computer and to learn more with learning games. My oldest brother is going into Jr. High and he will be able to do his research and papers on the computer.

 

 Mark R. (12th grade)

This will be helpul because not only will it help me wih work for projects, and job resumes, but it will also help me complete all of my work for school

 

Jaylen C. (2nd Grade)

I can do homework and learn. I can learn about animals.