Clarksburg High School students donated a new computer lab to the Emmaus Charity Foundation at the school’s media center Thursday. The donation comprised of six computers, fully equipped with monitors, keyboards and mice, along with one printer.
These students, who are enrolled in the school’s Network Operations class, have spent the past semester not only learning about computer engineering, but applying it too. The computers donated to the charity were fully refurbished by them, with parts being provided by the county’s Information Technology Foundation.
“They do everything from the beginning,” said Rania Malak, one of the program’s teachers. “Refurbishing from zero.”
The class allows students to practice what they learn alongside the curriculum.
“For example, they check the processor to see if it is working well – if it needs some cooling. They troubleshoot any issue that happens in the computer. And they try to find the issue and fix it,” said Malak.
While the students are gaining hands-on experience, this opportunity also sets them up for future success.
“This is basically like a huge step forward for me,” said Otniel Nguehou, a senior at Clarksburg.
Malak says that this project not only gives students practical knowledge, but bolsters their resumes for college and internship applications.
For Nguehou, it also allows him to give back to the community.
“I think what we’re doing here is actually remarkable. And I hope that it will continue to be this way, because it’s really an impactful way to help the community.”
What it means for the charity:
Beyond the students, the donation serves to equip underrepresented demographics in Montgomery County with the technology needed to succeed.
“A lot of people who fled from Haiti came here to the United States. They don’t know a lot of things about technology. So they need a work permit; they need to go to the hospital; they need to create an email,” said Clerveaux Joseph, president of the charity and MCPS employee. “They have that opportunity now to do the application online, and print what they need to print.”
The charity, which aims to “provide education and community development to underprivileged communities,” was founded by Haitian Pastor Emmaus Joseph in 1979. Last year, Emmaus Joseph’s children expanded the charity’s reach to Maryland, where they now partner with other local organizations.
“I remember when I first came here, it was not easy. This is why I stand here to say thank you,” said Joseph.
Photos by Benicio Balignot
