[UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science? | on cost-benefit analysis..

[Meddie Mayanja]

Colleagues,

Most certainly there are a couple of lessons to learn at Nakaseke telecentre
including design options, community involvement, development services,
technologies, management...and one can go on.

Reading various reports and reviews about that telecentre and having been
involved in this telecentre and others in early 1980s I see that there has
been progress - at a cost. Ofcourse this telecentre was a test lab in many
aspect. For instance there was no telephone when it was set up, electricity
was at most very unreliable and the community was emerging from a bitter
civil war and busy re-organising itself. The telecentre was basically built
on people's interest and support from IDRC/ITU/UNESCO.

I recall then that even making a phone call from Nakaseke was a novelty so
the early demonstrations and telecentre promotional activities included
simple things such as the value of telephone compared to getting on a 50
kilometer bus ride. Schools in the community never had a library leave alone
know how to use one. Most importantly there were no telecentres to learn
from on the continent and this field was pretty much emerging. Those were
days of the launch of telecentres in Buwama, Nabweru (Uganda), Sengerema
(Tanzania), Timbuctu (Mali), Xinavane, Namacha and Manica (Mozambique). They
were costly undertaking in many respects, it could time to review whether we
have reaped enough or if we had to do it again, how differently could one
get a telecentre started. 

Perhaps the costs - benefit analysis has been done constantly by hundreds of
people who have visited these telecentres, learnt a few things and done
their telecentres differently. You can say as well - that absence of such
large investments might have translated into smaller mistakes/attempts all
over the place. 

Yes, there is pletty of room deeper analysis here as well.

If I had to plan another telecentre today, I would do it a lot differently
in several respect - but because I know better what works and what doesn't.
I think too everyone on this list might have thoughts along this line.

Best, Meddie




-----Original Message-----
From: ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org
[mailto:ugabytes-bounces at lists.ugabytes.org] On Behalf Of Peter Burgess
Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 5:41 PM
To: ugabytes at lists.ugabytes.org
Subject: Re: [UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science?

Dear Colleagues

I really liked the message written by Betty Iyamuremye ... as others have
observed, it took you into the telecentre and gave a really good idea about
what was going on. Congratulations to all concerned.

What are the lessons? I would be very interested to learn from people who
know the story what lessons should be learned. I have the impression that
the situation today is more positive than it was, say four years ago. What
has changed?

I have a continuing issue with cost effectiveness ... How much was spent?
What is the value of what has been done?

These two essential metrics of performance are very difficult to obtain
almost everywhere in the relief and development industry. In many cases this
is because the costs are high and the value adding is tiny. But I have also
found that quite often the reason for poor performance is because costs were
cut before the issues constraining performance were resolved. In the case of
Nakaseke ... the key supporters seemed to keep on going ... and for that ...
thanks.

Many of you know Tr-Ac-Net is engaged in the development of Community
Accountancy ... please find out more about this ... and how everyone can
become involved with it.

Sincerely

Peter Burgess
____________
Peter Burgess
The Transparency and Accountability Network: Tr-Ac-Net in New York
www.tr-ac-net.org Community Accountancy Integrated Malaria Management
Consortium (IMMC)
917 432 1191 or 212 772 6918 peterbnyc at gmail.com

On Thu, Aug 7, 2008 at 9:45 AM, Meddie Mayanja <mmayanja at idrc.ca> wrote:
>
> 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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