Members of ‘Dialog as’
‘Dialogue as’ in Sola and Drude Berentsen, one of their members, has sent 3000kr in support of DROP, one of our student organisations and their work to support Sakyikrom United Primary school in Ghana. This is a tremendous contribution to the work of DROP, so a big thanks to Drude and her colleagues on behalf of all who will benefit from this.
Read some more about the project here.
It all began by accident. Literally. First year student Åge Frivoll went on a project week and had to return to Oslo to get his braces repaired after he was hit by a surfboard. He was sharing a room with an SOS student who had no computer, and while home he got a computer from his sister to give to his roommate. Then he started wondering how many other people needed computers at the College. He sent out a survey to all students and learned that some students had computers that were damaged and couldn’t afford to get them fixed. Some had none at all. Graduates raised funds for six laptops which were gratefully received before the Winter Break, but the need seemed to be greater than this. Åge took it upon himself to do something about it. When he gave his roommate a computer, Åge was deeply moved by the appreciative and humble reaction.
Åge – loaded down with laptops and clothing
Understanding that many Norwegian schools throw out computers regularly to make way for newer models, Åge sent out emails to 25 schools in Oslo and Akershus Fylke, receiving responses from 2 of them, one of which produced concrete results. At Bjertnes School, he got in touch with Dag, who was responsible for the IT Department. Dag offered to wipe clean all the computers he could, and in addition asked teachers for chargers they’d be willing to donate. He devoted time and effort to supporting the initiative, ultimately providing 11 usable computers. The next step was to install the necessary drivers and programmes on these laptops. Over the Winter Break Åge got his parents to clear out their garage, creating a workshop space where he could work in peace, accompanied only by constant music. He borrowed heavy-duty extension cords from his neighbour, spread the 11 computers out, and got started, installing Windows XP then drivers and background software for components. In the survey sent to students he had asked for details about programmes needed, and then custom-made the laptops to fit each individual’s specifications. He developed a system to make the process run smoothly, working from stage to stage with a check-list over 4 full days.
His parents thought it was a bit crazy, devoting all this time and effort to refurbishing used computers. Then he got his mother involved, asking her to collect clothing for the clothing store. She collected 50-60 kg of good quality clothing. Now Åge faced the challenge of returning to campus with 11 computers, a mountain of clothing, and 20 kg + of hiking equipment. Undaunted, he sent a mail to Larry asking if the College could help with postage, and received support in the form of postal packages, which lightened the load somewhat, but there was still a huge amount to carry. With duffel bags and backpacks stuffed with computers, clothing, and hiking equipment, he somehow made it back to Flekke. Back at College, Åge set about distributing the laptops and offering support to those who needed instruction.
What’s next? Åge hopes to acquire more computers in the future, adding to the supply available for students who arrive at RCN without their own. His story gives expression to the well-known motto of “learning, earning and returning”.
Eduardo is in complete control during this complex manoevre
For some time in February we were wondering whether there would be enough snow for our week in the mountains, ‘friluftsveka’. Fortunately the weather gods were on our side. With our base at a camp site near Stryn, all first year students had a real experience of Norwegian winter and ways to enjoy the mountain. There was a day of hiking led by Joakim Janninge and two full days of cross-country skiing in teacher-led groups. It was the first time on skis for many – so there were frustrations and bruises for some, but at the end of each day there were happy faces… and exhausted bodies. It was a week of snow, sunshine and being in nature.
We are pleased to announce the launch of the new College website. An editorial team including staff, students, alumni, the International Office and RCN Board representation has helped to create the new website over the past six months. In this way we have made significant strides in developing our main interface with the outside world (including future applicants, parents, alumni, sponsors, supporters, and the general public). The aim for the website is that it should be informative, appealing and reflect the incredible diversity of activities and programmes at the College. We wanted it to be aesthetically appealing, but not at the expense of receiver quality in places that do not have broadband capacity. It is designed to keep our network abreast of developments at the College and also to provide detailed information about what we offer to all those prospective students across the world.
Our facebook page provides images of the day-to-day events at the College – and we invite you to stay connected with RCN through these media. We are also pleased to announce that, in tandem with the new website, we have redesigned our College database (w4) to include an alumni function which is designed to provide up-to-date standard information on individuals which members of our alumni body and former staff can access. Chris Hamper and an external consultant have been at the heart of the design. Our alumni team on campus (led by Arne) have worked together over the past eighteen months on the development of alumni engagement and the design of the database – alongside input from Jean-Paul Ginestier, as Volunteer Alumni Coordinator. We hope that the w4 will both provide alumni with the opportunity to look back through your own personal and unique RCN kaleidoscope and to stay connected with the RCN community in the years to come. Please follow this link to take you to the login page of W4.
