Managed technology services provider ITEC and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Oasis Uganda are working together to build an IT container classroom at the Oasis Academy located in Musoto Village, Mbale District; one of the poorest communities in Eastern Uganda.
ITEC will be setting up a fully furnished IT classroom with PCs, monitors, a server, projector, accessories like keyboards and mice and a good broadband connection. The technology will be made available to the 150 children being educated at the Oasis Academy in Musoto.
Many of the children and adults in Musoto have never actively used technology before, which is why this project marks a major milestone for the village.
Alvin Muhwezi, Country Director for Oasis Uganda Charitable Trust said: “We approached ITEC because they have supported our academies in the UK and continue to be a valued partner.
“They understand the challenges we face in running academies like the one in Mbale – having only recently been connected to the National Grid – and have worked hard to find solutions fit for the children and the wider community. In the future, we are hoping to expand the IT programme to encourage adults from the village to learn new digital skills for personal development and possible future employment.”
William Edibu, who currently works as an IT support volunteer for Oasis Uganda, is to be employed by ITEC as IT Manager responsible for overseeing the new IT classroom project.
He completed an IT training programme with Oasis in 2005, under the Net2work project which was designed to help youths develop new skills in the community. Upon completion of that course, he joined Oasis as a volunteer and has over the years supported Oasis and the Academy to build an effective IT system.
“Learning IT skills has been incredibly valuable for me and helped me explore new career paths that would otherwise been inaccessible,” he said.
“Working alongside Oasis and ITEC has given me a great opportunity to help children and adults develop new skills, and the new IT classroom will be a valuable asset to Mbale.”
