[UgaBYTES] Are telecentres simply big dreams of science?

Mon Jul 14 10:37:02 GMT 2008

Dear Betty,
I hope you are fine.

Really, nice reading many thanks for your contribution
Nabil Eid
Syria

On 7/14/08, Betty Iyamuremye <biyamuremye at ugabytes.org> wrote:
>
> 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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>

-- 
Best Regards
Nabil Eid
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