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Aug 14th, 2007 - 05:20:18 |
IBRAHIM OYEKANMI
The project focus is very laudable and commendable.
I am willing at all times to be part of this dream of making IT literacy within the reach of the African child.
Jun 29th, 2007 - 01:34:20 |
John Nze-Bertram
WYEF seeks to improve the lives of thousands of Youths in rural communities in Africa through the use of ICT to enhance education. It aims to develop the use of information and communication technologies – both new and old – to support education in developing countries, with a particular focus on Nigeria.
For several years WYEF team have conducted intense research and have resolved thus:
To establish Resource Centers in rural communities specializing in the use of ICT to support education of youths and willing adults, and the management of affordable ICTs with relevant local content and for intellectual development
To train peer educator adequately equipped with relevant knowledge, skills and materials to deliver sound and qualitative information education to the youths
To adopt a holistic approach that will cover range of issues on ICT, creating effective and sustainable uses for technology that are integrated into local society.
To secure the involvement of partners, including the private sector, civil society, global organizations, academic institutions and bilateral donors, drawing in their knowledge and expertise.
MILESTONE:
WYEF have effectively trained 20 volunteers as train-the-trainers in computer repair, computer programming and desktop publishing.
80 more train-the-trainers will be trained in various aspects of computer engineering, maintenance, management and leadership in the coming year.
WYEF have also, conducted literacy feasibility in 20 communities for the pilot computer literacy program. There is high enthusiasm by the youths in selected communities who have overwhelming shown interest in acquiring computer skills.
By the year 2013 WYEF hope to have effectively trained 6000 youths from 5 groups of 100 rural communities in 20 computer training centers accross Nigeria.
By 2015 WYEF would have extended this project to 5 target countries accross sub-saharan Africa.
By 2020 WYEF hope to acheive 100% coverage of the African continent and develope a duplicate network project in other third world countries in Asia, South America and the Middle East.
WHAT WYEF INTENDS TO ACHIEVE THROUGH THE RURAL ICT PROJECT:
WYEF seek to improve education in rural communities, create IT jobs and wealth.
WYEF hope to reduce poverty, crime and illiteracy through creating jobs and to enhance the intellectual/technical capacity of youths in rural communities to secure employment or to own businesses in the ICT sector.
Further more, WYEF hope to empower the youths with knowledge, technical skills, positive focus and leadership skills.
In addition, WYEF hope that IT skills will broaden the youths in rural communities’ career choices, integration into the urban/developed communities and enhance their communication skills and competitive advantage in the 21st Century.
PROJECT MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS:
From Statistics over 50,000,000 African youths have never seen a computer in use. They are absolutely in the dark about simplest and common everyday apparatus of ICTs and completely ignorant of its immense benefits.
Visits to some rural communities in Africa is always that of amazement as one is struck by the enthusiasm and commitment that exists among teachers, community heads, parents and youths . But many of these communities simply do not have sufficient resources. Large numbers of these communities’ school lack the most basic requirements of chalk, paper and textbooks. However, even in such difficult circumstances, the use of the latest information and communication technology (ICT), supported by appropriate infrastructure can help to give the people a dramatically enhanced educational experience.
It is tragic in this millennium to still see several million of people not having the faintest idea of what the simplest form of ICTs are. Several millions have not set their eyes on computers or even knowing what it is used for. Telecommunication is exclusively for the urban masses and an absolute luxury to millions in the rural areas
Underneath the apparent widening and narrowing of the ICT divides, the underlying trend is that privileged groups acquire and use technology more effectively, and because the technology benefits them in an exponential way, they become even more privileged.
Resource Centres with computers, CDs, and where possible the internet, for example, can facilitate the in-service training of teachers, parents, community leaders, peer educators, volunteer youths enabling them to gain access to a world of new information that they can then share with their comrades. ICT can also provide valuable learning opportunities for those who have missed out on formal education.
BUDGET:
360 computers have been acquired for the first stage of the project in Nigeria. 140 more computers are needed.
US$ 500,000.00 is an ongoing 5 years budgeted cost associated with:
• Logistics: cost of computers, shipment of computers from Australia to Nigeria and payment of export/ import duties and inbound transportation to locations;
• Capacity building with local organizations for technical and managerial support;
• Training of 100 personnel;
• Building/Acquisition and equipping of 20 training centres;
• Electricity supply to 20 centres through the use of solar panels or electric generators;
• Security of computers and infrastructure by the use of local police or vigilante groups;
• Maintenance of computers and infrastructure by a team of 20 Computer Engineers/Technicians;
• Cost of training each trainee of 6000 people with offer of launch and other incentives in 5 years;
• Acquisition of 3 mobile workshops made of automobile trailers fitted with computers, desk and chairs that will travel to remote areas for training
• Provision of accommodation, meals and incentives to 60 overseas volunteer
• Public awareness campaigns through local media both print and electronic media
• and other cost contingencies.
es.
NEEDS:
Computers and accessories; Mobile Internet facility with Automobile-Carriage (Caravan, Truck); Teaching Kits, financial endowment; Volunteers.
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