An Internet cafe for the people of Kicolo, Luanda

Background:

The result of an analysis run in 2001 by the UNDP revealed the main causes for the slow development of the country’s communications: the lack of financial resources for the modernization and reinstallation of infrastructure, the low numbers of qualified staff, and serious obstacles resulting from external factors to the sector.

With high unemployment (estimated at 37% for people aged 15 to 24) and low social development (scoring 0.44 in the UNDP Human Development Index), major reforms must be made, especially in the field of infrastructures for communication and training to improve the skill levels of the population.

Investment in the training of young Angolans is essential to ensure an adequate preparation of the labor force and to increase the structural competitiveness and productivity of the Angolan economy. 

Problem:

Aware of the need to provide quality computer training to the youth living in the poor areas of Luanda, the Sisters of the Good Shepherd have been running a vocational training centre in Kicolo since 2001 that offers courses and provides official certificates recognized by the Government.

The waiting list of students asking to be enrolled is currently very long, due to the shortage of workstations and the lack of similar schools in the area. At present the Centre can only accommodate 15 students per shift and they have 3 shifts a day. A major hindrance is the absence of computer centers or Internet access points in the area. 

Objectives:

• Provide Internet access to the population living in the surroundings of the Good Shepherd Sisters’ compound in Kicolo;
• Offer more extensive computer training to local youth, especially girls, with the aim to get a final Government-recognized certificate allowing them to find secretarial jobs;
• Generate income that will be used to offer training and equipment to those students that cannot afford to pay the fee. 

Activities:

• Build the roof and renovate the building that is currently located in the compound of the Convent in Kicolo;
• Buy and install a satellite system to set-up the Internet connection;
• Purchase equipment for 12 workstations (desktop, desk, chair), one teacher’s workstation equipped with a server, one laser printer, one fax/scanner;
• Install air-conditioning;
• Organise computer skills training in the evening on 3 shifts for the local youth.
• Teachers and supervisors of the Centre will be recruited among the best graduates of the existing Training Centre. 

Expected results:

36 young people train in computers every six months and receive a certificate recognized by the government;

Closer and cheaper Internet access to the population of Kicolo;

A steady source of income to support the Sisters’ missions’ work.  

Results…work in progress: 

December 2007: received a grant of 25,000 USD from the Harris Fraser Fund (Hong Kong) to buy equipment and to build the roof. 

March 2008: purchased and installed a satellite dish for the internet connection and 12 workstations. 

November – December 2008: setting of the LAN and management system for the server. 

January 2009: the Centre will start functioning and will be open for the public. 

February 2009: beginning of the training courses.

Donate for this project now!