RENEWABLE WORLD
WIND/ SOLAR ENERGY BRIDGING THE “DIGITAL DIVIDE” IN AFRICA
SONGAMBELE, TANZANIA We all know that wind energy can light homes and businesses, but how about powering ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ through education and information access?
Today, social and economic development is based on a “knowledge economy” in which access to knowledge is directly related to ICTS - the modern means of information communication and acquisition. However, as ICTS rapidly advance, the gap between the “information-haves” and the “information have-nots” continues to widen. In many low-income countries such as Tanzania, participation in even a full course of basic education is not universal.
DIGITAL DIVIDE
The wind-solar hybrid project in Songambele, supported by Renewable World and it’s East African partner, the Arid Lands Information Network (ALIN), specifically addresses this “digital divide”, recognising that increased educational participation and achievement ensure that knowledge and skills can be harnessed to improve health, raise incomes, sustain economic growth and promote equity.
INFORMATION CENTRE They have developed a “Maarifa” or Information Centre, powered by a 1kw turbine and solar panels. It contains books, CDs and perhaps most vitally computers with internet capacity. The Centre is used as a means to connect Songambele with its local region, with its country and with the world.
Global Wind Day 2013 is featuring Renewable World’s work in Songambele, Tanzania, to develop corporate partnerships and raise vital funds to continue to build it’s East Africa Programme.
DEVELOPING BUSINESS SKILLS IN THE COMMUNITY To encourage economic development and create business opportunities, adults and children alike are given basic ICT skills. They have studied five modules: Introduction to Computers, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Power Point, and Internet and E-mail. The students are able to use their training both to train others and to transform their own lives, and those of the community around them. Many of the young people who have taken the course hope to pursue further studies online and seek internet-related work, or set up their own businesses.
“The ICT modules taught have been very useful to the community” said Herieth Sila, Maarifa Centre Field Officer “they have started applying them in different areas in their lives. Some of the youth trainees like Johari Farijala have already been booked for employment.”
GATEWAY TO THE FUTURE The Maarifa Centre is a gateway to a new kind of future for local residents. You can help us bridge the “digital divide” and assist locals to set up new business initiatives.
Renewable World
www.renewable-world.org/globalwindday Click to view more info
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