Computers for Bulgaria

Rotary & Rotaract International Project

Purpose and Vision

International partnership between Rotary and Rotaract from the US and Bulgaria to

provide modern computer equipment for the Mathematical High School of Pazardjik, Bulgaria and help its students to gain

invaluable access to information and crucial resources

(http://www.mgpz.telecablenet.com)

Participating Clubs and Organizations

Palo Alto Rotary Club, CA Bellevue Rotary Club, WA Sunnyvale Rotary, CA Pazardjik Rotary Club, Bulgaria Stanford Rotaract Club, CA BCC Rotaract Club, WA BCC Phi Theta Kappa, WA Rotary International Foundation

Key Participants

Mr. Angel Kelchev, Rotaract District 5170 Governor 06-07 Mr. Walter Hays, Past President of Palo Alto Rotary, CA Mr. Robert Rose – Chair of International Service Committee at Bellevue Rotary, WA Mr. Donn Wadley, Rotaract Chair of District 5170 Mr. Petar Hristov, Pazardjik Rotary President, Bulgaria Ms. Maria Lazarova, Stanford Rotaract member

The Process:

Purpose Vision Timeframe Size Logistics Resources and Partners Execution

The ProcessAddressed

Purpose – Benefit the High School Vision – Make it sustainable Timeframe – 9 months Size - $25,000 Logistics – Purchase & install equipment, partner with locals, Involve the High School Resources and Partners – The Foundation, Local and Foreign clubs, District funding Execution – July 3rd, 2006 in Bulgaria

Project proposal submitted to prospective

partners

Bellevue Rotary agreed to partner with Stanford Rotaract on the project Palo Alto Rotary, Pazardjik Rotary, BCC Rotaract and BCC Phi Theta Kappa and others followed “Game plan” was created with the help of Rotarians with international projects experience:

Mr. Rob Rose Mr. Walter Hays Mr. Donn Wadley

Commitments on participation and amounts donated

Letters were sent out by every participating club confirming their commitment to participate and the amount and type of funding and other resources they would provide:

District Finding Matching grant funding process Financial accountability Publicity Hospitality

Matching grant application submission

The Matching Grant process includes an extensive application process and a prolonged processing time, hence the help and leverage of Rotarians was critical Constant communication with the Foundation regarding the application was extremely important in order for a timely processing to be assured Few projects were selected for RIF funding so the application had to be well thought of and all relevant information and materials had to be timely submitted by our appointed person

Funds transfer and selection of local suppliers and appropriate

equipment and software

Once the project was approved for RIF funding, the money was transferred to Bulgaria and a number of prospective suppliers were selected The most needed equipment and other components were identified and offers by suppliers were compared and assessed The software was provided by Microsoft Bulgaria which was a major cost saving

Renovation and installation of equipment

and network creation

The Principal of the High School spoke to the City Council and arranged for money for renovation of two old classrooms to be used as computer labs The rooms were completely remodeled and were made ready for installation of the equipment The network was created by one of the teachers and some of his students which was another major cost saving All of the equipment was delivered and installed

The Donation:

38 personal computers with flat screens and various components based on specific needs 2 projectors and 2 screens 2 printers 2 scanners Network supplies

• Before

• After

Project opening ceremony and publicity

Rotarians and local business people, politicians and representatives of the government were invited along with the management of the High School Official opening ceremony was conducted at the High School and the labs were opened for visitors and students Television and Newspapers’ coverage was provided along with professional photographers

• Angel Kelchev with the Principal of the Mathematical High School of Pazardjik

• Some of the guests attending the ceremony

• The priest blesses the new computer labs

• Certificate of appreciation is presented to Angel Kelchev (Project leader and Rotaract District 5170 Governor Elect 06-07

• Certificate of appreciation is presented to Maria Lazarova (Stanford Rotaract member)

• Certificate of appreciation is presented to Silvia Battilana (Past President of Stanford Rotaract)

• Certificate of appreciation is presented to Jesse Czelusta (Stanford Rotaract member)

• Certificate of Donation is presented to Angel Kelchev

• The ribbon is cut by Angel Kelchev and a local government representative

• The new computer labs are officially open to the guests

• Group Picture of the guests

• From left to right: Mr. Kalcho Hinov (Founder of Rotary Bulgaria and District Governor for District 2480 (Bulgaria, Northern Greece, Macedonia, F.Y.R., Serbia & Montenegro), Mrs. Viara Kelcheva, Angel Kelchev, Petar Hristov (President of Pazardjik Rotary)

• From left to right: Jesse Czelusta, Silvia Battilana, Angel Kelchev and Maria Lazarova

• Viara Kelcheva on the left and Liubo Kelchev (Pazardjik Rotary member) on the right

At the End

The major donation given to the Mathematical High School will directly impact approximately 900 students and will drastically improve their academic experience. Furthermore, the Principal of the High School promised to organize free computer skills courses for the outside community in the town of Pazardjik, which will further benefit disadvantaged people from the area.

At the End

Students and members of the outside community will now have access to up-to-date technology and the High School teachers have volunteered their time to not only teach during their normal working hours but to also teach people from the outside community when possible. Computer skills are an invaluable part of most jobs out there and this project will have a major impact on the community and its access to modern education.