Amongst much jubilation and clapping and singing, the winners of the 2005 Elimu on Line Essay Competition were announced on November 9 during a special assembly of students and teachers at Edmond Rice Sinon Secondary School.
The essay contest was organized by members of Elimu on Line (EOL), the philanthropic arm of one of the oldest internet service providers in Arusha Region, Arusha Node Marie.
All institutions who have been granted free internet connections by Arusha Node Marie and who had participated in the June workshop organized by EOL titled “Welcome to the Global Classroom!” which was also held at Edmond Rice Sinon, were invited to participate in the essay competition.  The proactive workshop was an opportunity for participants to hone their internet skills by practical exploration of relevant sites for students, teachers and administrators including:  distance learning sites; how to protect computer facilities from viruses; specific skills and sites to obtain lesson plans and issues related to pornography, spy ware, etc.
The participants in the competition were required to write an essay of approximately five hundred words on topics relating to internet technology and its impact on the global community.  It was also required that there should be a links component to the essay (with the essay being the main item).
Ikunda Bethuel, a Form IV student at Edmond Rice Sinon wrote the first prize winning essay titled “Why is Information Technology so important to my life and my community”.  As the winning essayist, Ikunda won a complete computer set for her school. 
Belinda Jubilate also of Edmond Rice Sinon and Noris Justine of St Josephs Ngarenaro Girls Secondary School were the second and third prize winners respectively.  All of the students were awarded certificates of accomplishment and 45,000/= each for book vouchers.
All prizes were donated from Arusha Node Marie.
EOL was formed in 2002 to assist in identifying institutions eligible for free internet connections granted by Arusha Node Marie.  Present members include Magaret Njau, Olympa Lema, Frank O’Shea, Charlotte O’Neal, Gilbert Maeda, Edwin Mlay.  Mzee Christopher Tarimo serves as administrator representing AFAM.