Computers Educate Orphans and Empower Women

Summary

Computers and Internet access will enrich learning for AIDS orphans, open jobs for rural women and widows, improve AIDS education and support regional economic development. A self-sustaining project.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

Lack of communication infrastructure isolates rural Uganda, slowing development, limiting education and offering little hope for women and youth. First beneficiaries will be 500 students at Great Aubrey Memorial College, a secondary school founded for AIDS orphans. Other beneficiaries include: other students and teachers; community AIDS education & women’s groups; small businesses; charitable, development, and government organizations. The Center will collect user fees and become self-sustaining

How will this project solve this problem?

The project will purchase & maintain 15 networked computers with a VSAT link to enable Internet access, plus software, printers & CD/DVD drives. It will offer training, community education, & better communications for business, government, & NGOs.

Potential Long Term Impact

The center will be a major factor in regional economic and social development. It will support education, including HIV/AIDS education and job training. It will empower women and slow the out-migration of youth by providing access to non-farm jobs.

Project Message

"Everyday there is a funeral ... and children left behind with no one to care for them. As a priest, they call me Father. How can I sleep at night if I don't try my best to look after these children?"
- Father Centurio Olaboro, Director

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources