By Weston Syverson
Executive Editor’s Note: Imagine living in a world without the internet, libraries or easy access to information. This is the reality for many African communities today. In response to this challenge, three mission-driven nonprofits — Lifeword, Water for Christ and Tech Serve International (TSI) — have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking intranet system (closed loop system) designed specifically for developing regions. This innovative solution harnesses the widespread presence of smartphones by providing free local Wi-Fi access for anyone in the area of the antenna to educational and faith-based content that is specifically loaded and customizable by the local BMA church, without requiring an internet connection. By combining technology, education and the message of Christ, this collaboration is opening new doors for learning, spiritual growth and community empowerment across the globe. BMA Global missionaries to Zambia and Romania are being trained to implement this in their settings. Others are being trained to facilitate the technology on short-term trips. The following article from TSI provides more information about how this can impact a community and allow the gospel to be shared.
Do you remember what life was like before the Internet? Before, we could just Google something? Many of us grew up with encyclopedias and books as a source of information, gaining knowledge through reading or teaching.
What if you lived in a place without a library, internet or access to the web right now? Today, people don’t have easy access to information in some parts of the world. There is no internet, no libraries and limited education. This means that information and learning are highly valued and sought after. Also, people can use cell phones in many countries to call or text affordably, but internet and data are very expensive. However, many people have smartphones but use cellular data sparingly, looking for Wi-Fi access wherever possible. This presents an amazing opportunity to help people with technology.
While technology can bring many improvements to life, it can also bring many negative and damaging things. If directed, the internet has a great wealth of information for the learner, but also contains some pretty horrible and damaging content. Technology can also be used for good. Tech Serve International (TSI) was started to use technology for the kingdom of God and help people come to know the person of Jesus Christ.
The Story Unfolds
In years past, TSI Board member Tom Slatten had a vision to provide laptops for poor schools loaded with children’s educational videos on everything from basic math to science and English, as well as Biblical children’s videos. Together with large flat-screen TVs, these systems bring information and education to many classrooms. Tech Serve has and continues to provide many of these units to many classrooms, and we have seen great success in children learning about Jesus.
God’s Provision
Tech Serve has been blessed to have Kent McNabb, who volunteers and is now on staff. Kent uses his computer expertise to help further the kingdom of God. Kent has an extensive background in computer hardware and programming skills and has worked countless hours refurbishing laptops, writing programs and developing software for these projects.
While installing the laptops in schools, we saw the need to make all the content available to everyone in the area. We came up with the idea of using a limited free Wi-Fi signal to connect smartphones that people already own. Developing from concept to usable prototype has taken a while, with many obstacles to overcome. Today, we have a simple system that provides limited Wi-Fi to watch and learn good things! This limited Wi-Fi does not provide the Internet. It only provides access to thousands of videos.
The system is simple and runs optimized on a Linux laptop server. Users connect to the free Wi-Fi, and from the launch of a browser, they are presented with a simple menu where they can select categories to scroll through videos. In addition to the educational videos, there are also Biblical movies. Smartphones are very common in Africa, and for the local people to be able to learn at their own pace with their own device is a huge blessing. This system can bring good content to the village, with education and the message of Jesus!
Once all of this was designed and built, Kent loaded multiple used laptops with the server program to install it with local pastors in Africa. Kent and I tested the system with different antennas and sizes to provide the best reception to the residents in the communities and villages where the Wi-Fi would be broadcast.
When I arrived in Africa, there was much excitement for the installation. Resources for mounting the antennas were limited, requiring improvisations. Once the system was up and running, it broadcast a free Wi-Fi signal around the neighborhood. The efficient system can run off a car battery and a solar panel. The Wi-Fi signal range varies on many factors, but we could watch videos close to a half mile away in a recent field test. Children in Africa love to see something fun and interesting on a cell phone. This new teaching tool has come to their village, bringing education, entertainment and, most importantly, the knowledge of God!
Today, in a remote village in Africa, you can connect to the free Wi-Fi signal and end up at a simple webpage with icons. These icons give access to specific categories that open up to more categories and videos. You will find thousands of videos instructing everything from kindergarten math to basic geometry to physics and basic chemistry lessons. There are thousands of Bible story videos for children, movies like the Jesus Film and even an icon for the local church, where you will find videos and audio messages from the pastor hosting the Wi-Fi system.
What a super opportunity to share the good news! If you are interested in sponsoring a system for a village, the direct cost of the laptop, radio and antenna is about $500 to set up a system. We can then load up the programming and find a suitable location. Each system installed opens a door for people to learn about Jesus!
We would like to see this system used around the world on a large scale. Since we are a small outfit with limited reach, please share this information! If you know someone or are involved with people or an organization that could use this system, please get in touch with us. We are happy to share this information and the programming software for free and help set up the technical systems. Feel free to contact the office here at TSI. We also continue to provide laptops for schools full of good content for teaching children.
As we look at what is happening in the world today, we are drawn to many thoughts. Why Pray? Why Serve? Why Go? Why Give? Can I make a difference for the kingdom of God? Because of our Hope, Jesus Christ, we all have the answers to all these questions. Jesus is at the heart of all that matters in our lives. As we push back against cultural conditioning and societal norms, we lean into and focus back on our guide — the way, the truth, and the life.
So, as you wonder, “Am I making a difference for the kingdom of God?”, look at what is being accomplished through you and your friends here at Tech Serve. None of us can succeed without Jesus. We are indebted to the many who pray for us, support us and go with us to help so many.
TSI is grateful for the many opportunities to serve people and ministries. Please call if you need help with logistics, fiber networks, electrical engineering, telephone and VOIP Systems, GIS systems, etc. We would love to help! Feel free to call or visit our website for more information — www.techserve.org or (501) 679-2120. Thank you for supporting Tech Serve!
— Tech Serve is a non-profit organization started in 1989 by Wes Syverson. TSI services include Construction, Logistics, DataComm/Networks, Telephone Systems, High Voltage Design.
