Preamble
Access to information and communication technology (ICT) is essential in the developing world, because it is key to improving a country’s educational and economic prospects. However, the cost of new equipment, limited infrastructure and the lack of IT knowledge and proficiency mean that many people still have no access to IT. Today, information technology is seen as one of the major drivers of economic and social development and ICT makes access to information available on an unprecedented scale.
The digital divide is not only a divide between people who have access to ICT and people who don’t. It’s also a divide between people who have knowledge of ICT and those who don’t, between people who realize the opportunities presented by ICT and those who don’t. It consists of an infrastructure gap, a knowledge gap and a psychological gap.
HOPE RESTORATION NETWORK’S BIG PICTURE
ICT access is crucial in bridging the digital divide as a key foundation of development, for rural development in particular. Creating local capacity, stimulating creativity and innovation and boosting human skills and performance are our factors in connecting rural communities to the global information and communication network
HOPE RESTORATION NETWORK OBJECTIVES FOR ICT DEVELOPMENT
To support deprived communities to become agent of change in their own socio-economic development by giving them access to medical information, social inclusion, global commerce and the ability to learn many skills through the internet. By doing so we hope to help the people in the disadvantaged part of Ghana empower themselves.
HOPE RESTORATION NETWORK FOCUS PILLARS IN BRIDGING DIGITAL DIVIDE
Connectivity
Device Access
Digital Literacy
Solution
BRIDGING DIGITAL DIVIDE
OUR PROJECT
Connectivity
Hope Restoration Network is proud to announce that we were able to work out a deal with Ghana Investment for Electronics Communication to connect 1500 kids and youths at Anakum community in Wasa Amenfi Central district, Western region of Ghana with the internet.
DEVICE ACCESS
Device access is a critical part of digital inclusion. That’s why it has become a prioritized area of focus for our organization by undertaking the bridging digital divide project in deprived communities.
DIGITAL LITERACY
The use of technology to enhance learning in Anakum community is an effective approach for our organization to impact many children. Students with learning disabilities are experiencing greater success as they are allowed to use their abilities (strength) to work around their disabilities (challenges).
Solution
One of the solutions we provided was the institution of Anakum Learning Hub in Ghana. The aim is to enable schools in Anakum Village to become centres where families can access a range of services and information that would help them to support their child’s education.
Activities include numeracy programs, family workshops, children’s learning sessions, teachers’ workshops and art club. Future activities and services include an app to improve communication between schools and families, transition to Senior High School programs, an anti-bullying activity, and workshops on topics including health and nutrition, mental health, culture awareness training.
Which schools are involved?
Anakum DA primary – Anakum
Anakum D/A JHS – Anakum
SDA – Anakum
Happy Home – Anakum
The Trials
CHALLENGES WE ENCOUNTERING IN OUR ATTEMPT TO BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN ANAKUM
Families need girls to stay at home
Not able to get the number of volunteers (teachers and coaches) to run the project at the initial stages.
The possibility of our books and other equipment such as head phones being stolen and damaged was very high.
Members of the community were not willing to participate in the program because they don’t appreciate its importance.
HOW HOPE RESTORATION NETWORK WAS ABLE TO ADDRESS SUCH CHALLENGES
We dialogued with parents and encouraged girls to participate in our ICT program.
Since Hope Restoration Network is committed to ensure program continuity, we trained local youth and teachers.
We highlighted teachers and participants benefits and started recruiting more volunteers.
Participants were taught proper book keeping practices and how to handle the equipment in the learning center.
We promoted the project and emphasized on its benefit to the community.
Help everyone
Our Goal
Our goal is to widen the projects to reach even more teens and young adults-not forgetting the other age groups. Our aim is to strengthen our role in school environment and value digital technology skills when recruiting new staff members and volunteers.
Hope Restoration Network…… .Lending a Helping Hand
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