Benjamin Kettor, a Rotarian and executive of the Rotary E-club of San Diego Global, hailing from Foya, Lofa County, Liberia, was unfamiliar with computer science until post-high school. His journey commenced in 1996 during his exile in the Republic of Guinea, where a kind donation of one US dollar ($1.00) provided him the chance to acquire basic computer skills. Over two decades later, Mr. Kettor, now involved with various humanitarian organizations and living in San Diego, California, is delving into computer science to enhance the educational landscape in his native Liberia.
In March 2024, Ben, commonly known by this name, traveled to Liberia under the banner of Destiny Hands International, a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization he had previously established. He collaborated with his San Diego-based Rotary E-Club, as well as other like-minded individuals and organizations, to launch a computer project. The initiative aimed to equip and establish a computer lab and digital library at his childhood school in Foya, featuring a wireless system called SmartServer. The project was successfully completed with twenty laptops and a SmartServer, marking the first time a school in his hometown of Foya, Lofa County, District #1, had received such facilities.
In March 2024, Ben, commonly known by this name, traveled to Liberia under the banner of Destiny Hands International, a US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization he had previously established. He collaborated with his San Diego-based Rotary E-Club, as well as other like-minded individuals and organizations, to launch a computer project. The initiative aimed to equip and establish a computer lab and digital library at his childhood school in Foya, featuring a wireless system called SmartServer. The project was successfully completed with twenty laptops and a SmartServer, marking the first time a school in his hometown of Foya, Lofa County, District #1, had received such facilities.
Having established Destiny Hands, Mr. Kettor brought together a committed team, successfully registering and incorporating BENDIS Technologies (BETECH) as a non-profit to formally conduct and execute projects in Liberia. BETECH stands for BENDIS Technologies, a non-profit organization in Liberia focused on educational innovation and dedicated to:
- Every student in every school in Liberia having the opportunity to learn computer science and develop basic computer skills as part of their K–12 education.
- To expanding access to computer science in schools.
- To increasing participation by girls and young adults, including but not limited to students from other groups that are unrepresented.
For those seeking a dependable partner for projects in Liberia, West Africa, and beyond, consider joining forces with Ben and the Rotary Eeclub of San Diego Global. Alongside partners such as Destiny Hands International and BETECH, they aim to equip Liberian students with essential computer skills before their high school graduation. If you are aware of any individuals or companies with refurbished computers that could benefit students in Liberia for an upcoming project, please contact Rotarian Benjamin Kettor to discuss a partnership via email at bendis4us@gmail.com or destinyhands21@gmail.com.
Resources for more information: WWW.DESTINYHANDS.ORG and WWW.RECSDG.ORG.