This 2 year strategic initiative aims to make digital access available in the DR Congo’s Muzuka sector (9 villages), where accessing digital information remains a big challenge as well as in other rural areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
This project will provide 10 Smart phones, solar charging kit and train community leaders about researching and sharing information through the use of ICTs.
Topical focus:
Country:
What locality or neighborhood will your project focus on?
Muzuka,25 km Bukavu town
Describe the specific community with whom you will be working.
While the Government has instituted computer literacy program in secondary schools and increasing of mobile phone services in the region, very few people have already seen a computer or access online digital data.
What’s wrong?
High digital illiteracy and underrepresentation on online space of Muzuka area, where many students and community leaders seeking useful and well-documented information are blocked by poverty.
What kinds of news, stories and other content will be created?
We believe sharing useful information can influence social transformation through the use of ICTs
The project’s communication objective will be raising awareness about local poverty, governance, social justice, VIH-Aids and digital technologies issues.
As results, participants will create their twitter accounts and a Facebook page to share local news and knowledge acquired through digital access and will meet once a month for follow up
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.
GDIBU is working in Muzuka sector of the Walungu Territory, South Kivu Province of the DRC since 2006. It has established partnership with local schools, churches, community radios and other organizations.
To make this project more successful, GDIBU will coordinate with Muzuka Roman Catholic Church, Bushigi Protestant church, Katudwe and Mazigiro secondary schools and other leaders or organizations interested in the project .
How many participants do you think will be involved in your project?
We will train 27 community leaders and 10 most accurate will receive smart phones to lead the project.
For sustainability, we plan to involve participants/beneficiaries during the implementation process (appointing team, planning stages, execution and evaluation)
After grant, telephone air times and solar equipment maintenance will be covered from charging phones, emails services facilities and other community member contributions.
Besides the microgrant funding, what other resources and support are you seeking for your project to ensure its success?
Beside funding of equipments (10 smart phones (1400$), 75 watt solar system for changing phone and laptop (750$), fund for a 4 days’ workshop (810$) and 24 moths follow-up (240$), Total US$ 3.200,00
This funding is enough to make the project successful while Rising Voices feedback or hard copies documentation can be encouraging.
Contact name
Jean Marie Zihalirwa
Organization
GDIBU