Computer technology for developing areas: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 17:30, 11 December 2019

Revision as of 19:38, 30 March 2020

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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>

While all of these projects are admirable, successful introduction of computers to Africa necessitates more of the United Nations' Millennium Development goals approach which has been agreed to by countries and leading development institutions around the world to promote a comprehensive and coordinated approach to tackling many problems in developing countries ("Microsoft technology, partnerships", 2006). However, by 2008 Bill Gates had changed his perspective on technology solving problems in Africa stating, "I mean, do people have a clear view of what it means to live on $1 a day? ... He openly dismisses the notion that the world's poorest people constitute a significant market for high-tech products anytime soon. ...the world's poorest two billion people desperately need health care right now, not laptops".<ref name=Verhovek>{{cite web|last=Verhovek|first=S.|title=Bill Gates turns skeptical on digital solution's scope|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/03/us/bill-gates-turns-skeptical-on-digital-solution-s-scope.html|publisherwork=New York Times|accessdate=5 December 2010}}</ref> Here the dilemma is introduced to the mix of feeding people from handouts or providing tools for their own self-determination. As a proponent of self-determination not excluding the benefit of philanthropy, a review of projects discussed above and others merged with the successful Fisher approach to KickStart International could provide a framework for more successful introduction of computers to Africa, possibly skipping to first world technology.

====Martin Fisher: a possible business plan====