Digital Literacy South Africa Project #53447

Help 5000+ villagers get internet in South Africa

by Nyara Youth Development

Summary

Nyara Youth Development is in the process of building a Youth Resource Centre in the centre of Nyara Villages that will encompass a computer lab, library, training auditorium and a counselling/wellness room. In order for this Centre to be fully functional, impactful and 21st Century driven, for the over 1200 youth from 3 schools in the area as well as the 5000 residents, it is imperative that a customized rural Wi-Fi community network be installed for free and affordable access to the internet.

$26,000
total goal

$20,411
remaining

34
donors

1
monthly donor

1
fundraiser

11
months

Challenge

Nyara Villages is a very poor and underdeveloped area. Within the 6 villages there is only 2 Primary Schools & 1 High School which is at least 10 km away. There are currently no youth development initiatives and kids as young as 10-year-old start to engage in substance abuse, leave school and some take over the responsibility of becoming guardians at a very early age. Amidst the pandemic, during lock-down, they don't have access to online learning and therefore lag behind in their school work.

Solution

The NYD Centre will create a digital learning platform for learners to be able to keep up with the school syllabus & be offered the same quality of education as learners in the urban areas. Creating Wi-Fi access for this community will be beneficial for the learners as well as open many doors for all the community members in terms of access to online jobs, entrepreneurial solutions, health care solutions, agricultural solutions, psycho-social support options & emergency contacts.

Long-Term Impact

We plan to implement this Wi-Fi infrastructure over a phased approach. Phase 1- building access for 6 Nyara Villages (5000 residents). Phase 2 - building access for the Great Kei area (45000 residents). Phase 3 - building such a successful incubation model that it can be replicated in any rural setting around the world. Another long-term impact would be improving the economic status of rural villages in South Africa by providing them with equal access to 21st Century opportunities.