Laptops for learning
Ini Augustine founded Project Nandi to help support students of color during the 2020 pandemic.
By Gina Miller and Lily Yegge | Reporters
Ini Augustine saw her daughter struggling in school. Even with access to a stable internet connection, Augustine watched her daughter’s grades slip as the coronavirus pandemic hit. Her friends were failing. But, they did not have the same luxuries that the Augustine family did. A stable internet connection, electricity, food on the table. All things that many families were unable to afford, yet desperately needed.
With Augustine’s background in IT, refurbishing laptops, and her passion for bettering her community, she decided to set up learning spaces in the homes of those who were struggling. She began by repairing old, donated laptops. It quickly became something more. Augustine began raising money for children who needed laptops for distance education and is now going above and beyond to help provide internet, electricity, groceries, and other necessities.
The Augustine household doesn’t take education lightly. Augustine was lucky to attend a fine arts school where she learned ballet and violin, took voice lessons, attended AP classes, performed in plays, and even took a trip to Japan.
“Once they’ve taught you Latin and Italian, and you read music, it’s hard to envision yourself, like, with a low wage paying job, you know? …But even, like, the worst things that happened to me, there was a knowledge that I, for some reason, had been prepared for something better.” Augustine said.
She wants the same opportunity-filled experience for her daughter.
“The importance that other people place on education and the importance they place on me having access to education, I think helped me make a lot better life choices,” Augustine said.
She longs not only for her own daughter to have hope for a bright future, but also for all children throughout the Twin Cities.
Augustine saw how much the pandemic was impacting people. Additionally, the death of George Floyd in Augustine’s home city heavily impacted the community as well. There was visible damage that had been inflicted, and she noticed families in her community who didn’t have electricity, nonetheless internet access or cell phones. This meant they had no way to stay in contact with family members, and at the very least communicate that they were alive and safe. Augustine acted quickly, purchasing cell phones wholesale and delivering them to families. She used Facebook as a tool to find these families and raise awareness about their circumstances.
“I didn’t realize we would be saving lives.” –Ini Augustine, founder of Project Nandi
Soon enough, this led to raising funds for more laptops. And Project Nandi was born. This gave Augustine the opportunity to meet the recipients and go deliver school supplies and set up learning areas in their homes. She personalized their spaces, decorating with motivational posters and being thoughtful of the students’ favorite colors.
“They just glow because they can’t believe it, they’re like ‘the community knows who I am.’” Augustine said.
She hopes this makes at-home education more fun and more family oriented. Yet, it’s apparent that there’s underlying importance to make the community feel cared for. Along with the computers for students in school, Augustine used the resources to help provide families with groceries and basic necessities.
“I didn’t realize we would be saving lives,” Augustine said.
Since Project Nandi began, 62 families have received laptops, learning areas, and other resources.
Unfortunately, 107 families are still waiting for help. The funds have been exhausted, there is no money left in the account. The good news is there are many ways people can help.
“The power of social media is huge… the value of sharing a donation link,” Augustine said.
Statistics show that one share can value up to $10 donated.
Looking forward, Augustine hopes to keep this project going for as long as she can. With more pandemic restrictions in place, she has recently had to drop off materials on families’ doorsteps, then join them on Google Meet for a virtual tutorial. However, both approaches are just as meaningful. She hopes to continue to make a positive difference in her community and help give young people of color the opportunity to be educated. It would be everything to her if some of the students who were impacted, are inspired by her call to action and come back to work for Project Nandi someday.
To help support families in need, you can donate or share this story. When you donate using this link, it is tax free and qualifies for employer matching.
