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| eRiding model
proved successful for non-profit ICT consulting
in Africa |
| By: Regina
Husakova |
| Date:
2003-09-19 |
|
|
 Johannesburg, 19.9.2003 -
Ungana-Afrika initiative, which is providing
ICT (Information and Communication Technology)
consulting for civil society organizations,
has finished its pilot phase. The goal
of this pilot phase was to introduce
the internationally proven eRiding model
to the NGOs in Southern Africa.
"We have found a huge niche for
this kind of services among southern African
NGOs. The demand has been bigger than we were
able to satisfy, " says Toni Eliasz,
Ungana-Afrika's project manager. The
accomplishments of the first phase confirm his
words. During the six month period
Ungana-Afrika's consultants (or eRiders, as they
are known internationally) worked in six
countries in southern Africa, training 117
participants from NGO staff in computer-related
fields, implementing 15 major projects including
network setup, formal technology plan
development, website strategy development etc.,
and tens of minor projects such as
software/hardware optimization and maintenance,
system and network optimization and
infrastructure and staff skills assessment.
Ungana-Afrika addresses the reality of
the "Digital Divide" in Africa. Civil society
organizations working in a variety of
developmental capacities often suffer from a
lack of ICT infrastructure, connectivity and
skills. Limited access to these resources
prevents such organizations from reaching their
maximum efficiency, coverage and impact.
"eRiding model was developed and tested in the
USA and Eastern Europe, and is now being
implemented in over 20 countries worldwide, so
we can draw on the extensive experience of this
global network of projects. eRiding is basically
mobile consulting - our eRiders travel within
the region and help NGOs in the field of
information technologies," Toni Eliasz
continues.
The response from NGOs was
overwhelming, especially the demand for computer
skills training and capacity building. Janet, an
employee of one of the Swaziland NGOs visited by
eRiders, talks about the benefits for her
organization: "They really listened to what we
want, not just what they might think we need.
The language was less technical, easy for us to
understand. We really appreciated the training
and basic computer information they provided."
As a result of the positive feedback
received, Ungana-Afrika is determined to
continue providing their services. "The pilot
project was funded by OSISA (Open Society
Initiative for Southern Africa,
www.osiafrica.org) as a part of their ICT
program. Now Ungana-Afrika is going to become an
independent non-profit organization with
branches in all SADC region countries to achieve
greater impact in less time. We have defined our
strategy for the future and we're looking for
partners and additional donors to support our
mission, so that we can keep building the most
exciting non-profit ICT organization in southern
Africa," Toni Eliasz concludes.
For more
information about this project, visit
Ungana-Afrika website www.ungana-afrika.org.
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International invite you to the 2003 ICT
Convergence Convention Conference. |
| 2003-10-15 |
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event ] |
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