The project aims to establish an online network of the community Uspha-Uspha. Initially it will be used to promote activities led by youths from the community within the sports and arts program of Proyecto Horizonte. In time we aim to establish a digital photo/video and story-telling forum where the community can share information about upcoming and past activities, the life in Uspha-Uspha and to connect with other communities worldwide.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Cochabamba
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
Uspha-Uspha, notorious for its violence and street-crimes, grew from being an illegal suburban settlement ten years ago and has since been severely impoverished, excluded from the nearby city. Our activities for youth aim to create a positive culture free from insecurity and development hazards. We aim to create this culture through citizen media production and in doing so, also promote a sensation of collective social inclusion and autonomy.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
Initially people within the community will be connected, share ideas and get information about activities. As the participants gain skills and awareness of social networking activities, the reach of the media produced will be expanded. A springboard for doing so is planned to be a story-telling project where youths in our school library describe their neighborhood, with their own words and photos.
What technologies and digital tools do you plan to use in the trainings?
Describe the connections that you or your organization have already established that will contribute to the success of the project.
Proyecto Horizonte works in the community since 8 years, and has established a good relationship with its population. Our sports and arts program is one of the most popular activities among children and youth in all ages, its popularity and the fact that its individual projects are led by youths from the community will be a crucial factor for success. Collaborations with other organizations will be sought for as the program develops.
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
Currently, apart from the school library, we have 4 art projects; anime, dance, theater and handicrafts, all led by local young facilitators, with approximately 10 participants in each, whom will be trained in social networking. Ultimately we aim to reach out to the entire community (about 1500 families), in doing so online we hope to encourage the organizing of activities, thus auto-sustaining the network by improved collective activity.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Through the global network at Rising Voices we hope to be able to get to know other communities and creative people around the world. We would appreciate support in improving the networking and production of citizen media skills of Jovenes de Uspha-Uspha, to be able to make it attractive and let the youths´ voices be heard not only within their community but also on a global arena.
Contact name
Johan Boerjesson
Organization
Proyecto Horizonte