In spite of huge leaps in IT infrastructure in Armenia, major segments of the population in rural villages lack ways to access technology and the knowledge to use it. These same communities are faced with youth unemployment often reaching 30 percent or more. A growing “digital divide” leaves rural communities and the poor unconnected to an economy and society increasingly based on information technology.
In Armenia, a government initiative aims for every family to own a computer, along with improvements in broadband capacity. However, no more that 10 percent of Armenian villagers has knowledge of computers or the Internet, a reality that prevents information dissemination in rural areas.
NEF and its partners, Business Pareta and the Gegharkunik Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have worked with local entrepreneurs to establish 15 rural IT centers under the Zartnir (Wake Up!) brand. The centers are creating jobs and new sources of income, serving as hubs for education and skills training, and providing access to technology.
Though modest in size – a start-up has 4 computer stations – these IT centers have quickly become vital parts of their communities. In the village of Noratus, for example, the IT center is full from morning to night in peak seasons, and the training sessions fill quickly – with 300 people trained in the first year. Some IT centers have begun providing training in advanced topics, including game programming, to youth who aspire to work in Armenia’s burgeoning programming industry.
Each IT center is located within a rural village, providing everyone in the community with convenient and affordable access to the Internet. The centers are locally owned and operated, fostering local entrepreneurship and trust among community members. Each month, centers provide a number of trainings in computer and program use for a fee and provide some targeted training for disadvantaged groups, such as women heads of households, on a pro bono basis – grassroots corporate social responsibility. Income is generated through computer sales and service, training, and computer/Internet access.
Microfranchises offer entrepreneurs with limited or no business experience a way to start a new business with relatively low risk. NEF and its partners provide entrepreneurs with business training, business planning, technology training, marketing, and quality control training. The trained entrepreneurs are connected with financing as needed, and credit/loans are used to acquire the necessary technology, equipment and raw material to start the business.
The IT centers have developed into successful businesses, generating revenue and creating jobs by offering internet access (internet café), training (in programming, software packages, internet use), and computer equipment sales. Each business creates at least 2 permanent jobs and generates an average of $600 dollars per month in profit in their first year – significant figures in the context of rural Armenia. Each center serves a population of approximately 200 people on a regular basis and offers four multi-week courses for basic computer literacy.
As a result of the conflict and on-going instability in South Kordofan, farmers never thought they would be able to cultivate crops this year. They worried how they would feed and support their families.
But, over the past two months, 300 farmers supported by the emergency relief project have successfully been able to harvest crops—after receiving seeds and cultivation support through the project. These crops will provide needed sustenance for families in the region, which continues to belplagued by instability.
The harvest period in South Kordofan typically runs between mid-October and January. Most farmers supported through the emergency project sought to finish harvesting their crops in October. The conflict and on-going instability in the region have reduced the land available to both farmers and herders—increasing conflict as nomadic groups try to move their animals through cultivated land. In order to protect their product, farmers sought to harvest their crops as early as possible. Tractors were used to assist participating farmers in the harvest.
Average productivity of planted crops ranged between 2-5 sacks per fedan (a fedan is equal to approximately 1 acre). The project team will continue to provide extension support to participating farmers.
Over the past year, 140 women from ten organizations in the northern West Bank participated in over 70 hours of training offered by the Near East Foundation.
Mona, aged 60, is one of the women who benefitted from NEF training. She is treasurer of the Beita Women’s Association, a job she managed for many years with only a notebook and pencil. With the assistance of the Near East Foundation, Mona has professionalized and improved her work—and helped advance the work of the Beita Association.
Training topics included communications skills, preparing and using financial records, feasibility studies for small businesses, working as a team, planning, hygiene, safety, and health.
Mona attended all of the training sessions with enthusiasm and participated actively. She was especially interested in computer lessons and accounting sessions. Prior to the trainings, Mona had never used a computer. Now, Mona can use a computer to improve her bookkeeping and the records of the Beita Association.
“Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave,” is the principle that Mona continues to live by, as she works to improve the lives of women in her community—and share what she has learned.
