My name is Derick Odemba. I am a Kenyan National working as a volunteer with Voluntary Service Overseas(VSO)in Mozambique for an ICT for schools project.The project, Schoolnet Mozambique is within the Ministry of Education and Culture. I hold an Advanced Diploma in Management of Information Systems from Strathmore University in Kenya besides A+ certification. Currently, I am studying Bsc Computing and Information Systems by distance learning offered by the University of London, UK.

My job title in Schoolnet is ICT trainer. Among other other things I manage the Technical Service Centre (refurbishment centre) for Schoolnet Mozambique, train teachers and students in use of ICTs and maintenance computers and equipment, organise workshops/courses for building the capacity of teachers in in the use of ICTs in education. I started using Open Source Linux in mid 2004 and has great interest in Free and Open Source Software (particularly Redhat and debian). Currently, I am promoting the use of FOSS in the educational sector in Mozambique as a viable alternative to proprietary software. As part of this effort, we install Linux (Knoppix and Ubuntu)on 50% of the computers we refurbish at our Technical Service Centre.