Computer technology for developing areas: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|The donationDonation of technology to developing areas}}

'''Computer technology for developing areas''' is a field of study focused on using technology to improve the quality of life and support economic development in regions with limited access to resources and infrastructure. This area of research seeks to address the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not, and the resulting inequalities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Computer technology in developing areas is often throughgiven theto donationdeveloping ofareas [[Non-profitthrough technology|technology]]donation. Many institutions, government, charitable, and for-profit organizations requirethroughout technologythe developmentworld often involvinggive hardware or, software design, and theinfrastructure coordinationalong ofwith donors,the distributors,necessary and deployers. Technical development is often necessarytraining to ensure that the technology is properly integrateduse and deployed,maintain and to provide ongoing maintenance andit supportall.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |title=Refurbished Computers in SchoolNet South Africa — a Comparative Study |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308130513/http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |archive-date=2010-03-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

'''Computer technology for developing areas''' is a field of study focused on using technology to improve the quality of life and support economic development in regions with limited access to resources and infrastructure. This area of research seeks to address the digital divide, which refers to the gap between those who have access to technology and those who do not, and the resulting inequalities in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Computer technology in developing areas is often through the donation of [[Non-profit technology|technology]]. Many institutions, government, charitable, and for-profit organizations require technology development often involving hardware or software design, and the coordination of donors, distributors, and deployers. Technical development is often necessary to ensure that the technology is properly integrated and deployed, and to provide ongoing maintenance and support.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |title=Refurbished Computers in SchoolNet South Africa — a Comparative Study |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100308130513/http://www.idrc.ca/en/ev-86854-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html# |archive-date=2010-03-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Opportunity==

{{See also|Global digital divide|Digital divide|Global Internet usage}}

Developing countries lag behind other nations in terms of ready access to the internet, though computer access has started to bridge that gap. Access to computers, or to broadband access, remains rare for half of the world's population. For example, as of 2010, on average of only one in 130 people in Africa had a computer<ref>[httphttps://www.voanews.com/englisha/news/africa/east/Buttybutty-Uu-Ss-Computerscomputers-for-Africaafrica-14april10-90805754/159841.html Computers for Africa Launches New Initiative to Help Schools (4/13/2010)]</ref> while in North America and Europe one in every two people had access to the Internet.<ref>[https://www.un.org/ecosocdev/geninfo/afrec/vol17no3/173tech.htm Africa takes on the digital divide]</ref> 90% of students in Africa had never touched a computer.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110108153058/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iS38zZc6d-JIIBpAx705Zz-zt94Q?docId=N0401251293791904810A Computers recycled to help Africa (12/31/2010)]</ref> Industrialized countries have an average GNP ten times larger than those of developing countries. The per capita GNP of the United States compared to the per capita of India holds a ratio of fifty to zero. This may be due to differences in economic priorities and social needs. Salaries of clerical staff in developed countries are averaged ten times larger salaries than those in developing countries. Purposes and usage of technology varies drastically due to shifts of priority between industrialized and developing countries. Underutilization of existing computers continues to be a problem in developing countries. Simple designs such as computer memory still have not been implemented or maximized in comparison to industrialized countries today.

Local networks can provide significant access to software and information even without utilizing an internet connection, for example through use of the [[Wikipedia]] CD Selection]]selection or the [[eGranary Digital Library]].

===Focusing on Africa===

====Exploring the introduction of computer technology in Africa====

Africa presents a unique cultural climate for the introduction of computer technology not only because of its diverse population, varied geography and multifaceted issues but also because of it singular challenges. Africa is composed of 53 countries many gaining independence since 1950 containing 75 unique ethnic groups and approximately 700 million people. It has been colonized and hence influenced strongly by Europeans from France, Portugal, Britain, Spain, Italy and Belgium except for the countries of Ethiopia and Liberia. Martin & O'Meara<ref name=martin>{{cite book|author1=Martin, P. |author2=O'Meara, P.|title=Aftrica|year=1995|publisher=Indiana University Press}}</ref> describe Africa's diversity and some of the issues that it presents: ethnicity, geography, rural/urban life styles, family life (class levels), access to developed world products, education, and media.

Despite this somewhat overwhelming diversity in Africa, the need for [[self-determination]] by Africans as fought for example by the Nigerian's five Ogoni clans during the 1990s over oil rights is paramount. The "bare necessities of life – water, electricity, roads, education and a right to self-determination so that we can be responsible for our resources and our environment"<ref name=meredith>{{cite book|last=Meredith|first=M.|title=The Fate of Africa|url=https://archive.org/details/fateofafricafrom00mere|url-access=registration|year=2005|publisher=Public Affairs|___location=New York|isbn=9781586482466}}</ref> must be respected. Technology such as computers is considered by some to be important in obtaining such self-determination for Africa especially in the area of education. While it has already had an extreme boost through the independence of many of the African countries, more education can lead to water, electricity, roads and more self-determination. Bill Clinton supports the use of technology in education stating, "[s]o, I think that the potential of information technology to empower individuals, promote growth, reduce inequality, increase government capacity, and make citizen interaction with government work better is enormous"<ref name=Clinton>{{cite web|last=Clinton|first=Bill|title=Remarks by Bill Gates, Chairman, Microsoft Corporation, and Bill Clinton, Former President of the United States, Microsoft Leaders Forum Africa 2006|url=https://news.microsoft.com/speeches/bill-gates-microsoft-government-leaders-forum-africa-2006/|access-date=11 July 2006}}</ref> And at the same forum, Bill Gates further states, "Out of 6 billion people, somewhat less than 1 billion are using this technology. ... Part of how to do that is by having community access, getting it into schools and libraries, and many of the projects we've done, both here in Africa and around the world have that theme that, although it won't be in the home at first, it will be accessible."<ref name=Clinton /> Africa is a diverse continent comprising 53 countries with over 75 ethnic groups and a population of approximately 1.3 billion people. The potentialcontinent benefitshas a wide range of computergeographical technologyfeatures, inincluding Africadeserts, aresavannas, numerousmountains, and significantforests. InWhile additionAfrica has seen significant progress in various sectors since gaining independence from European colonial powers, it continues to educationface multifaceted challenges, technologyincluding canpoverty, aiddisease, inconflict, areasand underdevelopment. The continent's education system is also plagued with issues such as healthcareinadequate infrastructure, agriculturelimited resources, and businessa development.shortage However,of therequalified areteachers. alsoThese challengesfactors have contributed to overcomelow literacy rates in many African countries. Despite these challenges, suchtechnology has been identified as thea lackpotential tool for addressing some of infrastructureAfrica's development issues. The use of computer technology in Africa has been mainly focused on education, internethealth, connectivityagriculture, and accesse-commerce. toHowever, electricity.there Effortsare challenges to bridgeintroducing thecomputer digital dividetechnology in Africa, areincluding ongoinglimited infrastructure, withlack of electricity, and high costs. To overcome these challenges, various initiatives have been undertaken, such as Oneproviding Laptopcommunity peraccess Childto technology, theand Africancreating Union'spartnerships Digitalwith Transformationgovernments, non-governmental Strategyorganizations, and variousthe private sector partnerships. ItDespite isthese importantinitiatives, forthe theseadoption effortsof tocomputer betechnology sustainable,in Africa remains inclusiveuneven, andwith respectfulmany ofareas localstill cultureslacking access to computers and contextsthe inInternet. orderNonetheless, the continent's commitment to trulyembracing empowertechnology Africanshas led to harness the potentialdevelopment of technologyinnovative forsolutions, selfsuch as mobile money and e-determinationlearning platforms, that have the potential to transform Africa's economy and developmentsociety.

====South Africa and the Smart Cape Access Project====

South Africa has one of the largest and most successful introductions of computers to the residents in Africa with the Smart Cape Access Project initiated in 2000 in Cape Town winning the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Access to Learning Award in 2003 (Valentine, 2004. The project piloted 36 computers in six public libraries in disadvantages areas of Cape Town in 2002 with four computers designated for public use for each library. Libraries had the important structure with security, electricity and telephone connections, and known access by the public. Cape Town City Council sought information from librarians to build their project realizing that free Internet access was critical to the projects success including training, a user guide, help desk support and feedback loop. They anticipated that Internet access would "create much-needed jobs for citizens, but ... it can empower people to market themselves, start their own businesses, or gain access to useful information".<ref name=valentine>{{cite journal|last=Valentine|first=S.|title=E-powering the people: South Africa's Smart Cape Access Project|journal=Council on Library and Information Resources|date=March 2004}}</ref> Funding for the project relied on donations and partnerships from private organizations with extensive volunteer help in accessing open-source software that is available from licensed vendors or free on the Internet. While the project has been plagued by slow Internet speeds, long lines of waiting users, hacking and budgets, the demand for more computers remains high. Residents have used Internet access to build their own businesses using Smart Cape for administration, to obtain jobs sometimes over seasoverseas, to create some unsanctioned small-scale ventures such as paying an educated user to write one's resume, to write letters, e-mail, play games, complete homework and do research, and to obtain information such as BMW advertisements among other uses. Older people, unemployed youth and school children have been the most prevalent users of the Internet with 79 percent being men.

With the first phase of the project completed in 2005 and the second phase consisting of monitoring and evaluation of pilot sites just completed in 2007, the roll out of the final phase of the project is underway.<ref name=tshabalala>{{cite web|last=Tshabalala|first=R.|title=Cape Access Project|url=http://capegateway.gov|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801112832/http://capegateway.gov/#|archive-date=2013-08-01|url-status=dead}}</ref> Over one hundred thousand people have made use of the Smart Cape Access Project computers' free access since 2002 (Brown, 2007) which is about one fifth increase in overall access to the Internet for the 3.2 million population of Cape Town increasing total access to 17 percent of the residents in 2008 (Mokgata, 2008). However, the project continues to be plagued by budget issues leading to questions about long-term sustainability because of its heavy reliance on donations and volunteers. The project reports did not address the maintenance of the computers or the network which could also be a rather large expenditure. Of further concern is the lack of use by women and girls, which culturally presents a hierarchy problem because men are the public face, and another topic to consider in the future.

====Africa and other less successful projects====

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Freeplay Foundation has attempted to address the issue of electricity by first developing battery powered lights for rural areas of Africa piloting a project also in Kenya in 2008."The World Bank estimates that more than 500 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity supplies that could be used to light their homes" or power computers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wind-up lights for African homes|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk|accessdate=2017-12-04}}</ref> Freeplay has also provided a distribution system through women that will provide income in selling, repair and maintenance for customers and is prototyping in Kenya early in 2008. While purchasing the lights may pose a sustainability issue, such inventions could be hopefully tapped for future powering of computers in Africa.

An example of further difficulties surrounding introducing computers in Africa is found in the study of Mozambique one of the poorest nations of the world with 60 percent of its population below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web|title=The impact of the Internet on developing countries|url=http[https://csewww.stanfordinventateq.educom/cs201top-stories/projectshow-00computer-01/thirdtechnology-helping-developing-countries-and-connecting-to-the-world/Mozambique-overview|accessdate=}}{{dead link|date=DecemberCan Online Training help in Developing Areas?] Retrieved 11th Aug 2017}}2024</ref> Despite their poverty, Mozambicans view their education and access to the Internet as only second to obtaining enough food to eat. This is shown in statistics that identify the increase in computers per hundred inhabitants from .08 to 1.6 in just two years between 1996 and 1998. However, in non urban areas where better off residents might make 40 to 60 US dollars a month, access to the Internet could eat up half of their income so community-owned settings have been instituted with some unknown success. Other pilot programs are also proliferating across the country with unknown results at this time. This lack of data regarding the overall implementation of computers in Mozambique highlights the sustainability issue of computers in Africa as does the following example in Cameroon.

Cameroon was the recipient of the School of Engineering and Applied Science communication technology through a student volunteer organization. Computers were obtained, shipped, refurbished and integrated with teaching computer skills to residents. A recipient was the Presbyterian Teachers Training College which interacts with primary and secondary schools. However, no maintenance or support procedures and facilities were available as part of this effort and information on the continued value of the project are unavailable.<ref name=Yoon>{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=H.|title=In Cameroon, computer skills put to use|url=http://media.www.dailypennsylvanian.com|accessdate=5 December 2008}}</ref> Similarly but on a larger scale, Computer Aid, a British charity, has shipped over 30,000 PCs to 87 developing companies and is currently shipping at a rate of 1,000 a month. While it refurbishes donated computers before shipping, it appears to have not follow up to the placement of computers. However, Rwanda seems to be eager to have these computers and is providing a government sponsored Information and Communication Technology policy with access to computers through schools, community and health projects.<ref name=coates>{{cite web|last=Coates|first=R.|title=Computer aid to triple PC delivery in Rwanda|url=http://management.silicon.com/itdirector|access-date=2013-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091018081335/http://management.silicon.com/itdirector/|archive-date=2009-10-18|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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2. Providing income producing tools to create new wealth.

3. Building tools that can be supported in the environment.

While KickStart has not talked something as technically challenging as computers, its business plan can be easily adapted to the introduction of computers in Africa. For example, the Smart Cape Access Project has shown widespread success understanding the culture and environment of Cape Town, but still is concerned about sustainability and use by women. Most notable, the project needs to consider how access to the Internet can provide income producing tools to create new wealth and pursue a better maintenance plan. Also of importance is inclusion of women and girls' positive impact in the roll out of technologies for the eventual introduction of computers to Africa.

Although KickStart has not yet addressed the technical challenges of introducing computers to Africa, their business plan can be readily adapted to this goal. The Smart Cape Access Project in Cape Town is a notable success, demonstrating an understanding of the local culture and environment, but it also raises concerns about sustainability and female engagement. It is crucial to consider how access to the internet can offer income-generating tools, create new wealth, and improve maintenance plans. Moreover, promoting the involvement of women and girls will have a positive impact on the rollout of technology and the eventual introduction of computers to Africa.

==Sources of hardware==

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===Electronic waste statistics Press Release===

{{Main|ComputerElectronic waste recycling#Donation}}

====Unep, NEMA and Uganda Cleaner Production Centre====

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An e-learning strategy is being developed consultatively involving various stakeholders in the environment sector which yet Uganda has no e-waste recycler with capacity to cab down the problem of accumulation of e-waste.

List of Charitable organisations

* multi-national – Digital Partnership<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.digitalpartnership.org/# |title=Digital Partnership home page |access-date=2010-12-31 |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20020808070610/http://www.digitalpartnership.org/# |archive-date=2002-08-08 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* multi-national – InterConnection<ref>[http://www.interconnection.org website]</ref>

* multi-national – Non-Profit Computing, Inc.<ref>[http://www.click-aid.org/ website] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110627081023/http://www.click-aid.org/ |date=2011-06-27 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.idealist.org/view/asset/wDCmSSFdM2Jd/ |title=Idealist listing |access-date=2011-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215101141/http://www.idealist.org/view/asset/wDCmSSFdM2Jd/ |archive-date=2011-02-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref> (a [[United Nations]] advisor)

* multi-national – [[University of the People#World Computer Exchange|World Computer Exchange]]{{Broken anchor|date=2024-12-09|bot=User:Cewbot/log/20201008/configuration|target_link=University of the People#World Computer Exchange|reason= The anchor (World Computer Exchange) [[Special:Diff/614556487|has been deleted]].}}<ref>[http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org/ World Computer Exchange home page]</ref>

* Ireland – [[Camara (charity)|Camara]]

* Japan – [[Kyoto Computer Gakuin#International Development of Computer Education Program (IDCE): KCG Group's current global outreach program|IDCE]]

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* UK – IT Schools Africa<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dedipower.asia/news/article/dedipower-donates-computers-to-african-charity |title=DediPower Donates Computers To African Charity (10/20/2010) |access-date=2011-01-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706085139/http://www.dedipower.asia/news/article/dedipower-donates-computers-to-african-charity |archive-date=2011-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

* US (some multi-national) – [[TechSoup|TechSoup Global]]

[[Microsoft Corporation]] has a [https://www.msregrefurb.com/RRPSite/OnlineDirectory.aspx?setlang=en global list] of approximately 1,800 Registered Refurbishers - however, the size of these refurbishers varies very greatly.

==Problems encountered==

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A pressing problem is also the misuse of [[electronic waste]] in dangerous ways. Burning technology to obtain the metals inside will release toxic fumes into the air.<ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/WN/discarded-computers-poisonous-african-children/story?id=9266722 How Discarded Computers Are Poisoning Africa's Kids (12/7/2009)]</ref> (Certification of recyclers to [[e-Stewards]] or [https://web.archive.org/web/20101004004645/http://www.r2solutions.org/ R2 Solutions] standards is intended to preclude environmental pollution.)

Finally, while countries may receive many donations of hardware, software, training, and technical support, internet penetration in developing countries is often extremely low compared with the developed world. However, in recent years, mobile internet has had massive growth in these regions and has become the primary way most people access the internet. Mobile internet penetration is not equal however, with rural areas often having much lower rates of internet access. This furthers the economic and cultural divide between urban and rural areas in developing countries as internet access is becoming more essential to everyday life.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Rodríguez-Castelán |first1=Carlos |last2=Ochoa |first2=Rogelio |last3=Lach |first3=Samantha |last4=Masaki |first4=Takaaki |title=Mobile Internet Adoption in West Africa |date=9 March 2021 |doi=10.2139/ssrn.3798904|hdl=10986/35209 |hdl-access=free |journal=Technology in Society}}</ref>

Finally, while the training, support, hardware and software may all be donated, it is rare for another vital component of technology, Internet access, to be made available at a discounted rate. "In about half the countries in Africa, one year of <nowiki>[dial-up]</nowiki> Internet supply will cost more than the average annual income."<ref>[http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/Internet_prices_in_Africa.pdf Internet prices in Africa. A comparative study. (probably 2003)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728002618/http://www.schoolnetafrica.org/fileadmin/resources/Internet_prices_in_Africa.pdf |date=2011-07-28 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.satsig.net/gispa-afrispa.htm Is Africa in a Digital Quagmire? (11/6/2004)]</ref>

==See also==

* [[Basel Action Network]]

* [[Community informatics]]

* [[Community technology center]] / [[Telecentre]]

* [[Computers and the environment]]

* [[E-cycling]]

* [[Electronic waste by country]]

* [[Electronic Waste Recycling Act (disambiguation)]]

* [[Green computing]]

* [[Index of recycling articles]]

* [[Non-profit technology]]

* [[NTAP]] (nonprofit technology assistance provider)

* [[Personal computer]]

* [[Plockton High School#Computers for Africa|Plockton High School (Computers for Africa)]]

* [[Recycling]]

* [[Streetlites]] (African charity)

* [[Telecentre]]

* [[United Nations Information and Communication Technologies Task Force]]

* [[Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive]]

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==External links==

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090221211331/http://www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre/pressreleases/UgandarRefurbPR_12062008.mspx Computer Refurbishment Centre Opens for Business in Kampala (6/12/ December 2008)]

* [http://www.techlearning.com/article/20270 Affordable handheld computer reaches Latin America (5/4/ April 2009)]

* [http://www.usedcomputer.com/nonprof.html Where to donate and recycle old computer equipment]

[[Category:Information and communication technologies for development|*]]