The opening of the solar-powered Learning Lab at Waverley Girls’ High will provide world-class technology and connectivity to hundreds of girls from underserviced communities in Alexandra and Hillbrow. By Staff Writer
Part of Dell’s 2020 Legacy of Good Plan, Dell solar-powered Learning Labs provide direct technology access to more than 5,000 underprivileged students in communities where technology infrastructure is limited.
This specific partnership at Waverley Girls’ High is just one of the projects Dell and Sci-Bono have collaborated on. Not only does this school struggle to compete and offer the same facilities as surrounding private schools, but it continues to strive to encourage and prepare girls to enter the IT industry.
One of 11 labs globally, the Learning Labs are constructed inside standard shipping containers, using Dell’s Wyse thin client computers and Dell PowerEdge Servers to create a computer-empowered learning space.
Solar panels take care of power requirements, while the computers use cloud technologies to run the latest Windows Office systems. The setup is also highly efficient, with each workstation requiring less than seven Watts of power, as opposed to 180 Watts for a typical PC.
“Youth empowerment has always been a major focus for Dell. In keeping with youth month, Dell has embarked on a coaching and mentoring initiative, the Sci-Bono Youth Development Programme, which will see Dell employees share their knowledge and expertise with students,” says Natasha Reuben, Head of Transformation at Dell South Africa.
