Fundraising 2012/Translation/Isaac appeal

Banner

• Please read:
  A personal appeal from
  Wikipedia editor Isaac Kosgei

Appeal

From Wikipedia editor Isaac Kosgei

Knowledge is for everyone, even those without Internet access. Today, most schools in Kenya have computers. But many still lack Internet access, especially in the most remote parts of my country.

As a Wikipedia volunteer, my major contribution is distributing the offline version of Wikipedia. This is a text-only version of Wikipedia that can be used without an Internet connection.

Traveling by public bus and taxi, armed only with CD's, USB sticks, a laptop and a projector, my friends and I visit schools all over Kenya.

We install Wikipedia on the school’s computers and show the teachers how the project works. We then give a demonstration to the whole school using the projector and give a talk on the importance of Wikipedia.

The teachers say that this project has changed the lives of thousands of school children and is revolutionizing education in Kenya. The students are always so excited, and thank us very much for what we have done.

Thanks to Wikipedia—and a few long, dusty bus rides—a whole generation of students now has access to the world’s largest encyclopedia. To me, this is the best thing that has ever happened.

When you donate to Wikipedia, you are changing the world. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Isaac Kosgei
Business student and Wikipedia volunteer