Am a Freelance Web Developer and Designer with a unique touch of style and creativity based in Kampala, Uganda.

As an experienced Web Developer, I know what makes a web site work and how to make you get maximum results from your web presence. I also know that web development involves a lot of work - I am more than ready to roll up my sleeves and get my hands dirty just to get you the best online presence.


An end to the GVC web design contest
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Posted on the 22 - April - 2010 at 13:21:15 by Ronald Kasendwa

Last year, I gladly took on the risk to lead a group of Gayaza High School students through the Global Virtual Classroom contest. In the contest, three schools form a team and compete against other teams by designing a single website about an issue of their choice. In our team, we had Gayaza High School (Uganda), Athens District High School (Canada), and Mt. Pleasant High School (California). 

Being the team leader, I had to ensure that the students in my school worked collaboratively with their peers in Canada and California. I had to equip them with the neccessary web design and 21st Century skills needed to complete the project successfully. For about 6 months, I would leave university early enough after my lectures and go meet the students to get work moving.

Below is a testimony from one of the students exracted from the GVC Project End of Term 1 Report(PDF).

Designing even the homepage of a website is not an easy thing but its very possible. In the project, we learn to create websites and even put them on the Internet. We are progressing steadily.
 
We don't only learn how to design web pages but also how to socialize with people of different cultures and race since our team has students from Uganda, Canada, and the USA. I have learnt also how to express myself in writing and I've also got more used to computers.
 
The students in our project have learnt to be more comfortable with the Internet and software like Adobe Dreamweaver. I have also learnt how to work in groups. I thank the project facilitators for having this planned and bringing out the idea very well.
 
By Namubiru Miriam Esther
Student,
Gayaza High School.

My GVC experience was exremely interesting despite the numerous challenges that we met on the way. Working with students who were dynamic and always willing to learn new things kind of made my work less tiresome. There was a lot to cover in a short timeframe. 

In the photo: Students working on the web pages and content development.

Having three schools from different geographical locations and cultural backgrounds working on the same piece of work created a lot of bureacracy in decision making. This was essentially because all the three parties had to first come to a common agreement about the next moves to take.

After about a month or two of constant and massive collaborations, our students finally agreed to take on Violence in a teen's world as their issue of interest.

Under this, they had really a lot to talk about - most especially the many abstract types of violence. I must say, I was really shocked by the types of violence that the students raised during their discussions. I never knew there existed animal violence even if was common in our country!

I was really impressed with the product of our efforts. The students  jointly produced a very powerfull website. Check out the students work at http://gvc0911.gvc09.virtualclassroom.org - am sure you'll second me on this!

 

This post has 15 comment so far
From: Oluka Bruno
Posted on April 24th, 2010 at 02:08:45
Its interesting to know that these children of less than 15 years have the ability to particpate in this global epidemic that is eating up our continent and the world.

Its normally the young people like these who reveal the true picture of what really happens to these victims as they talk about it with friends at school.

If only we had these kind of personalities, our world would be a better place to live.

Am amazed at the final product of the collaboration between these three school in different parts of the world.
From: Ronkas
Posted on April 26th, 2010 at 12:17:03
Hi Bruno,

You have raised a very good point there - its these young people (including us though) who can create change in this world. We can create the personalities we want to see... what do you think?

Btw, thanks a lot for all the support you gave to us during the project. We could really achieve nothing without your help.
From: Oluka Bruno
Posted on April 29th, 2010 at 03:06:38
One must never underestimate what a young child says. A child may be your rescuer from what would have been your biggest fright in life.

In a few years these 15 year girls will be able to appreciate their contribution in the fight against child abuse. Sometimes we must remember where we were and not rejoice over what we are today. Lets get together and fight this injustice.
From: benjamin waccha
Posted on May 01, 2010 at 13:47:41
hi thats nice but we need further semimars and contest like that so whats your say on MTANDAO-AFRIKA WEBSITE CHALLENGE gives some of us details because we need it and nice work
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 01, 2010 at 14:02:47
Bruno,

Am about to laugh my lungs out.. you are getting so serious and emotional about the issue! Take sometime off and relax.. everything is catered for.. we shall jointly struggle in the fight anyway!
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 01, 2010 at 14:04:35
Hi Benjamin,

Thanks for the comment. Glad you found my work really good and useful. Unfortunately, Mtandao-Afrika seems to have a few complications here and there... there has never been anyother round after ours.. and their website is now also off.

Meanwhile, if you are still under 18yrs and still in school, then you can try out this Global Virtual Classroom contest. You can read about it at http://www.virtualclassroom.org. I hope that works for you. Don't hesitate to ask for any help if need be!

Best regards
From: benjamin wacha
Posted on May 04th, 2010 at 11:57:27
Hello,

Thanks for the nice words cause it prevented me from chasing wind thanks to you, checked out the website you gave its great but the problems is that teams apply now i have got no team mate but am am individual only what should i expect, or get me other options.

Thanks
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 07th, 2010 at 14:01:54
Benjamin,

Am glad the simple words were actually of help. At the moment, thats the only option I know..
but I will keep you posted incase anything comes in.

Best regards.
From: benjamin wacha
Posted on May 11th, 2010 at 04:05:06
hey, could you contact me via my email i have some thing for you.
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 11th, 2010 at 04:06:41
Hi Benjamin,

Please just send the thing to my email. Its info@ronkas.org.

Thanks
From: Rebecca
Posted on May 11th, 2010 at 10:26:51
I think the risk was worth it....too bad things turned out the way they did. Atleast you managed to give those kids ur best, I know they'll forever be greatful.You also changed some of their lives FOREVER.....(I know you understand)
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 12th, 2010 at 12:16:11
Hi Rebecca,

Sure! The risk was worth it... that's if we are on the same page! I wish they're indeed grateful! I don't think I understand what you mean by "you also changed some of their lives FOREVER.... (I know you understand)"... No secrets!
From: Rebecca
Posted on May 13th, 2010 at 05:09:22
U don't need to scratch ur head...its nothing much
From: Ronkas
Posted on May 13th, 2010 at 05:14:39
Rebecca,

You are no stranger to me.. I know you! You are just brushing it off... but it is something much!
From: Rebecca
Posted on May 18th, 2010 at 04:41:52
Ronkas,

You're makin a big deal out of this...n you're right I'm brushing it off coz its not anything much.
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Testimonials
I met Ronald some time when we went out to shoot a video concerning rubbish disposal and street kids. I was greatly impressed with his efficiency as he handled that camcorder. He looked too young to be doing this. That was my inspiration to cross into the computer and media world.

As of now, I’ve worked with Ronald a number of times, and in each piece of work, he has constantly proven his proficiency and reliability in producing blockbuster media. His skills in graphic design, animations, video and photo editing and web site designing go unmatched. He is simply a media prodigy. Way to go Ronald!
Esther Rebecca Nazziwa
Student,
Gayaza High School