[UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science?

[i m]

|I had not read the article but was drawn to it somehow. As i read ...i am thinking, how come there is not much talk of such a kind here in Malawi...is it because people dont know about these things or somee of us who happen to have been introduced to the telecenter movements have simple decided not to do some thing about it. Malawi is a beautiful coutry with a lot of potential. One major challenge however is the lack of infrastructure and the very very low education levels....but still I feel guilty that i havent done as much as i could have. I am working for an organisation that promotes sustainable agriculture...with organic manure taking center sage. In charge of all the advocacy activities....i have been thinking on how i can infuse the ICT component into our programmes in order to facilitate information sharing and learning. As i have said.......I need to go out and do more than just think, think, think and not act.
itayi



----- Original Message ----
From: Meddie Mayanja <mmayanja at idrc.ca>
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Sent: Thursday, August 7, 2008 4:45:01 PM
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science?


Whats a great article - it took me right into the telecentre and helped
throw more light on how Nakaseke telecentre is used in everyday life.
Looking back, I feel this telecentre has really come of age and provides us
with a lot of lessons.

Thanks, Betty


-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Betty Iyamuremye
Sent: Monday, July 14, 2008 5:05 AM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: [UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science?

It's a hot afternoon as I approach Nakaseke sub-county headquarters in
Nakaseke District, Uganda. This is the location of a telecentre that has
come to play a very vital role in the lives of the local community.

"You are most welcome", a gentleman reading a newspapers grins as he ushers
me into the big building. Inside are several clean and neatly arranged
computers. A door to the right is illuminated with a label: 'ON AIR',
implying that broadcasting is done in there.

My urge to enter the studio is interrupted when my colleague suggests that
we go to the business centre that is on the left, instead. Apparently she
had sighted James Senabulya, the programme manager and IT trainer at the
centre.

Nakaseke Multipurpose Community Telecentre is part of a series of pilot
initiatives to introduce, test, disseminate, and assess the impact and
viability of multipurpose community telecentres (MCT) in Africa.
Senabulya says this telecentre is within the framework of the Africa
Information Society Initiative (AISI) and in line with the Buenos Aires
Action Plan (BAAP) Programme No. 9 on Integrated Rural Development.

In late 1990s, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), UNESCO and
IDRC agreed to join efforts with national and local organisations to plan
and support pilot telecentres.

The phrase 'telecentre' is usually associated with rows of computers and
telephones assembled in an area for communal use. However, a telecentre is
usually more than that. At Nakaseke telecentre, there are 16 community
satellite telecentres (CSTs) in all parishes of Kasangombe and Nakaseke
sub-counties. These centres are run by elected parish media committees with
voluntary resident administrative assistants who provide miniature
telecentre activities.

These were established to take MCT services nearer to remote areas as well
as operate as feedback mechanism on information and communication needs of
these communities.

But are these telecentres simply big dreams of science without real
practical use for the ordinary men and women in the villages?

Well, to Ruth Nakanwagi, this telecentre is a dream come true. Nakanwagi is
an instructor at Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA), a
non-governmental organisation under Functional Adult Literacy (FAL).

"As an instructor, I have utilized facilities at this telecentre but most
importantly, the community radio," Nakanwagi says.

In March 2008, this telecentre received a World Space Satellite Radio
(WSSR) from UNESCO that has not only helped the programme manager to boost
content but also helped the community to access information on agricultural
practices, HIV/AIDS, sanitation issues, gender related issues, and
environment among others.

WSSR broadcasts 50 channels from which Nakaseke FM (102.9) is able to tap
international news, days' events, etc. We re-broadcast BBC news direct from
WSSR, Senabulya says. He adds that since there is no other English programme
on this radio, BBC news has enormous listenership. "For those who do not
know English, we translate information into Luganda so as to assist the
illiterate," he adds.
It is not only the ITC that has found favour in the hearts of the Nakaseke
community but the book library is very much loved too especially by students
in surrounding schools.

"I visit this library on a daily basis. After school, I always fix time to
come here at least for an hour so that I read a book. I love reading
stories," says Nankanjja Daphine, a primary five pupil at Nakaseke Public
School. Adding: "I make sure I am at home by 6:00 pm, and so, I usually
optimally utilize the little time I have while at the centre."

In addition to books on diverse subjects, the library also has 11 radio
cassette recorders along with audio-cassettes on general topics like world
peace, conflict, culture and tradition; all recorded in the local language
and are double decked to allow local content production and dubbing.

The users at the business unit which comprise of the telephone and
secretarial services dominate the centre during morning hours and according
to Senabulya, telephone services is currently the biggest income earner for
the centre.
Having acquired a new Amper licea 2000 machine, the telecentre has managed
to have a stronger internet and telephone connection. Other facilities at
the business unit include fax, education videos, and photocopiers among
others.

In the afternoons, computer and internet users visit the centre. The MCT
runs a computer-applications training program in both primary and secondary
schools, for students on holiday, at the Primary Teachers College (PTC)
nearby, and for the general public. Recently, a primary-school focused
mathematics computer based programme was introduced.

"The centre is relatively cheap and convenient. After work, many people are
able to visit the centre for IT application." says Senabulya.
He however says, electricity was the most challenging resource to sustain
but in 2005, IDRC donated a 24-panel solar energy equipment worth USHS 100
million. This he says has reduced powers cuts that used to disrupt services
at the centre.

In a bid to improve internet services at the centre, ministry of information
in partnership with MTN Uganda are soon extending wireless internet
connection to Nakaseke, targeting the telecentre as a server.
After implementation of this proposal that was made by ITU, the wireless
connection is expected to supply Nakaseke Hospital, Nakaseke sub county
offices, Nakaseke International College, Mazolid College and monastery.

Telecentres in Africa
In Africa and elsewhere, public facilities are needed for basic access, and
for value-added services that can contribute to the social and economic
welfare of the community.
With ICT taking a firm hold on the world, and support from organizations
such as UNESCO, ITU, IDRC and a number of other international development
agencies, the concept has quickly spread across Africa.


Sustainability is most challenging in telecentre movement. Without donor
funding, most telecentre have closed shop. Most times, telecentres always
fail to plan or run self-sustaining projects to survive. The challenges
should not only be addressed by the international funders but also the users
and local organisations.

Other model telecentres in Uganda include Kacwekano in Kabale, Nabweru in
Kampala district, Buwama in Mpigi district. There are, however, other
telecentres with usually a single phone line (possibly GSM cellular),
three-in-one scanner/printer/copier, a fax machine and a PC with a printer,
Internet such as Kubere Information Centre in Apac, Buganda Telecentre among
others.

Be as it may, Nakaseke telecentre is a one of the success story of the
telecentre movement in Africa and the world at large. How it pans out in the
coming years will point to the full entry of ordinary Africans into the ICT
era.


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