ICT to bring poor villagers closer to the world

Community News
A local communication company has started a programme to source internet equipment and computers to bring ICT to disadvantaged schools in rural areas.

CHIPINGE — A local communication company has started a programme to source internet equipment and computers in their endeavour to bring information communication technology to disadvantaged schools in rural areas.

Report by Our Correspondent The International Communication Technology Association of Zimbabwe (ICTAZ) is working in conjunction with the UK-based organisation Computer Aid International.

The association is already identifying beneficiaries and provide expertise and back-up service.

Computer Aid International, Anglophone Africa programmes officer Wilhelmina Seng said the programme was set to improve access to ICT in rural areas.

“IT (information technology) opens the world to marginalised students in the rural areas,” said Seng. “It will enable them to open their eyes so that they can see what they should see in the 21st century.”

Permanent secretary in the Science and Technology Development ministry, Professor Francis Gudyanga, said Africa was lagging behind in terms of ICT development.

He said it was high time Africa started manufacturing own computers to improve the lives of its people.

ICTAZ president Hasha Maringe said their mission was to promote the growth and betterment of the ICT community through facilitating education, training business clustering, partnering and mentoring. However, Maringe said, funding was a major challenge in the country.

“The economic situation in the country does not allow us to adequately fund our programmes. We need computer laboratories as well as laptops, but this equipment is expensive in the country,” he said.