Relief International - Schools Online (RI-SOL) was formed from the
merger of the Los Angeles-based relief and development agency Relief
International (RI) and the Palo Alto-based Schools Online (SOL). RI’s
expertise is in the implementation of community development
programming. Since 1990 RI has worked in “bridging and transitional”
programs working with and supporting communities and societies in
transition from crisis through to recovery and development and from
centralized systems to sustainable market based democracies.
 Schools
Online was founded in 1996 as a philanthropic concern of several highly
influential members of the IT community in Silicon Valley. Since then
SOL has been a leader in the propagation and integration of IT in
learning. Over 5,700 schools in the US (principally in the Appalachia
and Indian reservations) and 1,300 schools in 35 countries have
benefited from the provision of computers and Internet connectivity. In
the last three years SOL has developed a new emphasis and a lead in the
IT learning sector by complementing its provision of appropriate
technology and Internet access, with an extensive teacher professional
development program. To ensure long-term sustainability, all programs
are designed with the participation of teachers, schools
administrators, local communities, and the relevant governmental
agencies.
Since its merger, RI-SOL has demonstrated capacity in implementing
projects combining technology, education, and community empowerment.
RI-SOL has a track record of innovative, region-specific initiatives
that use resources available in the community--such as a biogas system
for providing electricity to Internet Learning Centers (implemented as
part of the School Connectivity Project in Tajikistan). Community
driven programming allows school children and youth to resolve
community issues by involving them in Student Action Committees and
teaching them problem identification and problem solving skills.
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