ICT-based Community Development Project in South Africa

Project Location

Country: 
South Africa
City: 
South Africa (Pietermaritzburg / KwaZulu Natal)

Organization

Organization Name: 
Outreach Social Care Project
Organization Type: 
Association

Website

http://www.facebook.com/outreachsocialcareproject

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Project Type

Education up to 18 years

Project Description

Description Frase (max. 500 characters): 

It gives youth the tools to access a range of socio-economic and political rights.

Project Summary (max. 2000 characters): 

The idea was born we have realised that ICT plays an important role in youth, especially girls and young women in facilitating community engagement with civil society; technology inspires to maximize the full potential and positive establishment connections with the communities.
“Technology has become the driving force of change in the modern world. It has altered our economic structures and ways we communicate”. – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Access to knowledge has become an effective force for transforming social, economic and political life globally. Thousands of girls leave schools with the hope of developing a career and sustainable life that often turns into a daydream.
ICT literacy plays a vital role in the growth and development of any nation, and research has shown that the higher the rate of ICT literacy, the better the potential to succeed. A high level of ICT literacy can reduce poverty and crime, contribute to economic growth, and improve the quality of life because people, when they can read information regarding HIV/Aids and other social issues, are able to make informed choices and feel more confident about them-selves.
With an HIV prevalence rate of 16.6 per cent amongst South Africans aged between 15 – 49 years, South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world.
It is estimated that 316 900 adult South Africans and 63 600 South African children were newly infected with HIV during 2011. This equates to an incidence of 1042 new HIV infections per day.
National mortality has strikingly increased by more than 86 per cent between 1997 and 2011 and HIV has been a significant contributor.
By 2011, the country had an estimated 2.01 million orphaned children as a result of AIDS. The integration of HIV/AIDS awareness into ICT literacy skills training is an innovative method that attracts girls and women, it’s motivates them to continue participating in the project now and beyond.

How long has your project been running?

2013-11-29 23:00:00

Objectives and Innovative Aspects

Addressing ICT’s and delivering quality computer training and the use of mobile phone for youth, especially girls and young women in townships and rural communities of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa is perhaps the greatest challenge facing South Africa. Accessing to global information through ICT, has empowered the disadvantaged communities to make informed choices and decisions regarding their socio-economic development and be effective in the society.
In the rural context, ICT and related e-applications has enhanced opportunities to generate income and combat poverty, hunger, ill-health and illiteracy, and are keys to improving governance and rural services. As we bridge the digital divide, we narrow the chasm that separates those with and without access to information and knowledge, thereby broadening opportunities for better life. Greater access means earlier achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. It means less poverty and hunger, and more environmental sustainability. And it has translated into greater equality and empowerment for youth, especially girls and women.
Information Communication and Technology- ICT has provided sustainable solutions. Today’s ICT cuts across all fields of life and governance. The ICT industry offers exciting job opportunities to people with computer skills.

Results

Describe the results achieved by your project How do you measure (parameters) these. (max. 2000 characters): 
This Project has produced changes in attitudes and increased knowledge and skills which equipped and motivated the community and individuals to continue providing services to youth, especially girls and young women after the project has end. To scale up and strengthen the activities, more involvement of the beneficiaries and their communities from planning to completion ensuring that they take active role and ownership in the project so that sustainability can be ensured. The Project has used ICT literacy to bring about meaningful changes in girls and young women’s daily life. We desired to see the girls and young women at the centre of the project for sustainability and accountability. The Project has involved all the stakeholders including the communities and the beneficiaries which are keys to project success and project sustainability to take the ownership of the project. To be empowered to take control of their lives, and the successful project being replicate elsewhere. The monitoring tools has been put in place such as reporting, monthly meetings, project visits and advisory meetings has been held regularly and information has been channelized to the review the progress of the project with all stakeholders including the primary beneficiaries. Monitoring and Evaluation Officer and facilitators compiled weekly reports including a detailed description of training attendance, full participation in the project, home visits, family situations; challenges faced and required follow-up steps. Counselling sessions were recorded in individual’s file, together with home visit reports. see more in the attached form...
How many users interact with your project monthly and what are the preferred forms of interaction? (max. 500 characters): 

The project has directly interacted with 1000 youth monthly with the support of 10 facilitators, monitoring and evaluation officer and intents to interact with the larger community through mass social media, in future upon acquiring funds to sustain the activity.
We value the power of communities. We know that by working together and building capacity, we can achieve the greatest goals and ultimately make contributions that benefit people at the very bottom of the economic pyramid.

Sustainability

What is the full duration of your project (from beginning to end)?: 
From 1 to 3 years
What is the approximate total budget for your project (in Euro)?: 
From 75.001 to 500.000 Euro
What is the source of funding for your project?: 
Sponsorships
Is your project economically self sufficient now?: 
No
Since when?: 
2014-04-29 22:00:00
When is it expected to become self-sufficient?: 
2016-12-30 23:00:00

Transferability

Has your project been replicated/adapted elsewhere?: 
No
What lessons can others learn from your project? (max. 1500 characters): 

ICT Education for youth, especially girls is the most successful tool to bring the positive change in the lives of poor and marginalized young people. We are providing access education with minimal operational overhead. Transparency must be maintained and considered biggest tool to achieve the objectives particularly in the developing countries as where we are currently serving. As project, we always and available to support those who wants to replicate the modality of our work.
The integration of HIV/AIDS awareness into ICT literacy skills training is an innovative method that attracts girls and women, it’s motivates them to continue participating in the project now and beyond.
To conduct small oral test at the beginning of the implementation of the project, monthly assessments to be conducted and at end of the project to evaluate the overall of the achievement of the project. This information is the key to the organisation to measure the impact, the success and the achievement of the project and how you can improve in the future and how the project can be replicate in the other communities.
This information will give the beneficiaries an idea if they did achieve their goals and able to go to the next level in their life.
To be committed and empowered disadvantaged and underprivileged girls and young women who may have thought they would never be able to do that as we are living in a World of 4 R's: Reading, wRiting, aRithmetic and computeR literacy

Are you available to help others to start or work on similar projects?: 
Yes

Background Information

Barriers and Solutions (max. 1000 characters): 
In the initial time the communities were not collaborating towards the project and they have negative perception towards ICT education, especially men. More awareness was conducted to make them aware of the important of the ICT and role it plays into our lives. Although valuable lessons may be learned from best practices, there is no one formula for determining the best level of ICT integration in the educational system. Significant challenges that policymakers and planners, educators, education administrators, and other stakeholders need to consider include educational policy and planning, infrastructure, language and content, capacity building, and financing. “The program starts with identifying issues that are close to the youth and their communities and then demonstrates how technology can be used to make their voices heard on these issues.” “It is important to let people experience the technology in a non-threatening, fun way.” “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others”
Future plans and wish list (max. 750 characters): 
see the attached form