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.
Oasis Uganda was created in 2001 in Kampala to prevent vulnerable girls from slums ending up on the streets and being exploited. Their focus has since expanded to include building thriving societies through health, education and IT training.
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.
During this time, William also upgraded his academic credentials and currently holds a Bachelors Degree in IT. He said:
“Learning IT skills has been incredibly valuable for me and helped me explore new career paths that would otherwise been inaccessible. 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.”
Headquartered in Bristol, ITEC is an active partner in the community with sports, education and charities at the forefront of its Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Over the past four years, ITEC has invested more than £30,000 in equipment for the project and raised about £20,000 through joint fundraising with Oasis.
Nick Orme, CEO of ITEC added:
“Technology can be truly transformative, which is why we are so proud to be working with Oasis to deliver valuable, transferrable IT skills to both children and adults. We look forward to seeing the development in September and meeting all the people benefitting from the academy.”