Need to Connect Mattru Jong to Digital Economy
It is now evident that developing countries which invest in broadband infrastructure see dramatic results. Broadband is not only about economic gain. A number of studies have shown how internet connectivity can improve lives in various other ways, such as enhancing health and education services, creating enhanced government services, and increasing productivity. Mattru Jong is a typical town in Sierra Leone. It has a population of ~ 10K and is facing the most vexing problems of illiteracy and youth unemployment. The town does not have high-speed broadband access and there are no imminent plans to invest in a reliable internet infrastructure in the near future. Without a new out-of-the-box initiative that infuses new skills and ideas into the community, Mattru Jong, along with similar towns in Sierra Leone, will continue to face a bleak future
Objective of the Crowdfunding Campaign
The long-term objective is to implement a holistic ICT program in Mattru Jong, including Broadband access for the hospital, vocational schools, and high schools as well as an internet café for the broader population. Per a comprehensive business plan, an ICT program will require an investment of $200K over a period of 2 - 3 years.
To prove the business case of a project of this size, AYM has decided to establish a smaller Computer Center as a pilot. The Computer Center will provide basic computer training and education for Mattru Jong’s youth and teachers in preparation for the larger project.
The objective of the Crowdfunding Campaign is to raise $20,000 to establish the Computer Center. The Computer Center project will be modeled after proven World Youth Empowerment Foundation projects.
What this $20,000 will be used for?
10 new entry level computers and 1 printer preloaded with software including shipping to Mattru Jong. We expect that AYM will qualify for Microsoft’s software program for nonprofits through TechSoup.
1 computer technician hired locally in Sierra Leone. The computer technician will maintain the computers and teach the computer curriculum to students and teachers.
Travel and housing for 1 Volunteer for one month to teach the full-time computer technician the proposed computer literacy program.
Updated community center security to safeguard the computer equipment. Bars on windows, locks on doors, securing the computers to the desks. Etc
Travel for one AYM employee to kick off the project and re-open the community Center.
-
Local resource to run the Community Center and offer the pre-Ebola services. Based on pre-Ebola revenues, the expectation is that the services provided will generate revenue of $25K and sufficient funds to fund the ongoing operations of the Computer Center after the first year.
During the first year of operations we expect to:
The Existing Community Center Provides the Foundation
The Mattru Jong Community Center was established in 2013 but had to close in 2014 due to the Ebola crisis. Prior to closing, the Community Center generated revenues of $200 per day from charging cell phones, selling clean water, the snack bar, and the movie theater. The second floor of the Community Center was not fully utilized and provides a large training room with space for 20 – 25 computers. In addition to the available training room, the Community Center has available:
As a result, the existing Community Center provides an excellent foundation for the Computer Center.
Volunteer Activities to Support the Computer Center Project
The AYM staff and UN volunteers will provide the following services to support the Computer Center:
Curriculum Development: Computer training curriculum to deliver sound and qualitative computer literacy education to the Mattru Jong’s youths. Taking into consideration the needs of the target groups including age, literacy, culture, religion and socio-economic background. The team will fully take advantage of existing resources and programs that are available.
News Letters: Information service such as; weather updates for the farmers and fishermen as well as market prices for their products, health notices and healthcare advice for pregnant mothers as well and news updates. The team will also explore offering training for 2g mobile applications such as iCow and Farmerconnect
Project Monitoring, Oversight and Development: A project monitoring, evaluation to report the overall effectiveness of the computer project (equipment and people) over time.
Risks & Challenges
How we will address:
Hire a local qualified IT professional willing to move to Mattru Jong
Targeting recent IT graduates from universities in Sierra Leone, ideally from the region
Budgeted to offer a competitive rate
Backup plan, to use volunteers from US, Canada or Europe for 3-month assignments
Not successful raising $20K to fund the pilot
Targeting to complement crowdfunding with grant applications: Cisco, US Aid .....
Exploring partnerships with the hospital, vocational schools, mining company etc.
Scale back project
Technical challenges operating the computers on solar and / or diesel generated power.
Pre-Ebola proved that computers ran on the grid
Check the specifications with existing projects in Sierra Leone prior to purchasing the computers
Ebola outbreak, public events that disrupt operations
Emergency / security plan
Support from Paramount Chief of Mattru Jong and local community
Other Ways You Can Help
Thank you for reading our story. You can help us raise the money we need:
- Help spread the word about our campaign to your social media network.
- Please use the social media tools to spread the word.
We thank you in advance for your help.