DOT RWANDA IN STABILIZING THE MARKET FOR THE BDCs IN REMOTE AREAS ‘Case of Interns at BDC of Gasabo’

Jean Claude Ndayambaje

Digital Opportunity Trust,

email: jndayambaje@dotrust.org

ICT for Rural Development conference, November 1-3,2011 South Africa

Sharing the success of youth supported work in the community in the area of effective use of ICT, how do the stakeholders in ICT support the work and what to do to more catalyze the growth of ICT

in RD

DOT RWANDA IN STABILIZING THE MARKET FOR THE FORMER TELECENTERs IN REMOTE AREAS ‘Case of Interns at Business Development Center of Gasabo’

1. Overview of ICT in Rwanda, DOT and its Programs;2. The Showcase of interns project in BDC Gasabo; 3. Way forward.

DOT RWANDA IN STABILIZING THE MARKET FOR THE FORMER TELECENTERs IN REMOTE AREAS ‘Case of Interns at Business Development Center of Gasabo’

Rwanda witnesses a good number of challenges, the opportunities are also considerable and the future is promising

STRENGTH Strong political will in support of ICT Existing of National ICT Policy, NICI ICT sector budget is on par with OECD

countries at 1.6 percent, far above the African average

Smallness of the countries would facilitate ICT Network infrastructure

Strong Institutional organization (RDB/RITA, MINISTR, RURA, etc.

ICT is the most attractive in terms of Investment

E-Government and E-Governance

OPPORTUNITIES Regional Communication Infrastructure Project

(RCIP) Kalisimbi Project Kigali Metropolitan Network and Wibro Mobile

Wimax Technology Rwanda National Backbone Project Rwanda is integrated to the EASSY Project National Data Center Regional interconnectivity (MTN Rwanda, MTN

Uganda, Safaricom, Vodacom, Com Burundi

WEAKNESSES Lack of necessary technical and professional

level of human resources Insufficient of electricity which is a

prerequisite to the ICT accessibility Inadequate financial resources High cost of communication in comparison

with neighboring countries Lack of awareness about ICT and the benefits

of e-government in both urban and rural areas Weak private sector Existing of high rate of illiteracy

Source:ICT SWOT Analysis

Synergies identified between DOT vision and Rwanda’s rural economic transformation

Vision 2020 national strategy; PRSP; NICI-2020 Plan; Integrated ICT-led Socio-Economic Development Plan

DOT Rwanda and its Programs

Digital Opportunity Trust is an International Not-for-Profit Organization

DOT’s Mission: Creating global networks of talented, energetic young leaders who make real change by educating local communities to apply technology effectively to real life.

DOT’s Vision: To eradicate poverty, vulnerability and gender inequality by giving all people the skills and knowledge to use technology to achieve educational, social and economic opportunities.

DOT Rwanda and its Programs cont.

Project Opportunity: bring economic and social benefits to selected disadvantaged communities in Rwanda by Enabling young ICT leaders-interns (50% women) Building capacity of CBOs to connect with economic opportunities Promoting entrepreneurship with community participants (50% women) Sharing knowledge between Rwandan communities and internationally

www.dotrust.org

Project Focus: Capacity development of 180 interns (technology ambassadors) who work through CBOs to train & coach 30,000+ community members

Programs: ReachUp! & Start Up! to build ICT & Business Skills capacity of vulnerable groups and young entrepreneurs in selected communities

Enhanced self-employment / employment opportunities for youth

In selected communities Increased access to economic opportunity Increased micro-enterprise and MSE

development Increased household income levels

Demonstration of ICT access and use Enhanced market connections for CBOs

Benefits

Program Model

Local ProgramTeam

Interns

@

Community

SolutionPartners

Train the Trainer

Business, School &Community Facilitation

Technology Application

Through Projects Schools EnabledEntrepreneurs MobilizedStartups EnabledBusinesses Scaled

DOT RWANDA IN STABILIZING THE MARKET FOR THE FORMER TELECENTERs IN REMOTE AREAS ‘Case of Interns at Business Development Center of Gasabo’

Training (4 wks)

Placement(9 months)

• Global & local trainers, Orientation, online and face to face training to facilitate, consult and inspire

• Interns receive training stipend

• Additional training is also offered every month – mainly focused on how to get a job in the Rwanda job market

• Rigorous screening & selection of interns

• Intern commitment letter signed•9 months deployment in communities where they deliver the ReachUp! Program

• Stipend, transportation, communication & modem

RecruitInterns

www.dotrust.org

ReachUp! Intern Life Cycle

www.dotrust.org

Mobilizing Community Entrepreneurs

ReachUp! Curriculum is designed to

empower beneficiaries and to build business and technology skills

Objective: Equip disadvantaged community members with ICT & basic business skills and develop entrepreneurial spirit to spur income generation and creation of micro-enterprises

Audience: 1) Disadvantaged groups such as un/under-employed, women, youth; 2) Community members interested in starting a micro-enterprise and; 3) Marginalized, remote and rural communities

Approach: Provide participants with knowledge, tools and skills to help them leverage economic opportunity in their community through Intern-facilitated training. Highlights- Business Skills; ICT Skills & Empowerment Skills. .

The ReachUp! competency framework for DOT Interns

Commits to Excellence Manages Projects Facilitates Learning Coaches Conducts Action Research Advocates

ReachUp! Training Session Modules

Empowerment/ Livelihood

1 Course Introduction and Self Reflection

2 Your Strengths, Skills and Passions

5 The Opportunity Marketplace

7 Opportunities Around You

9 Tools to Access Information

11 Visioning and Self-Esteem

12 Consolidating Research Findings

15 Mapping Sustainable Livelihood Projects www.dotrust.org

Technology Skills

3 Meet your Computer (Windows, Notepad)

4 Computer as Notebook (Word – Letter)

6 Computer as Library (Internet Browsers)

8 Computer as Designer (Word – Livelihood Flyer)

10 Computer as Scheduler (Word – Calendar)

13 Computer as Post Office (Yahoo! Email)

14 Computer as Analyst (Excel – Personal Budget)

16 Computer as Showcase (PowerPoint – Presentation

Business Skills

17 Intro to Business

18 Business Concepts and Ideas

19 Intro to Business Planning

20 Marketing Basics

21 Marketing Materials (Word – Business Flyer and Resume Template)

22 Budgeting Basics and Cash Flow (Word – Business Plan Template; Excel – Business Budget and Cash Flow)

23 Record-Keeping

24 Action Plans & Course Wrap Up

The interns project at BDC Gasabo

Objective To increase the number of people that use

the center; Raising awareness about ICT and the

benefits of Business Services opportunities in the community;

Results An average of 50 persons on waiting list

every month for monthly trainings; Surrounding community know the services

offered by the BDC and its partners;Commits to Excellence, Manages Projects, Facilitates Learning, Coaches, Conducts Action Research,

Advocates

Each District of Rwanda has a well equipped Business Development Center (Telecentre);

Most of BDCs are located in remote areas;

At BDC gasabo, only 2 persons in 10 were aware of available Business Support Services (baseline survey)

Two Interns mobilize and train atleast 30 persons every month;

Interns are responsible to mobilize people for trainings;

The context

Commits to Excellence, Manages Projects, Facilitates Learning, Coaches, Conducts Action Research, Advocates

Sharing challenges and successes, Consultations and creativity

Passions and Creativity. The solution

Kitchen gardens installations initiated by interns (Demonstrations)

The solution cont.

In class arrangements

Virtual Network Computing and Screencasting tools in use

Traffic at the center increases

The solution cont.

Interns organize Visits, Walks and community works

The Impact

Entrepreneurial culture is instilled into the participants. Participants’

confidence and ability to take business risks.

Participants overcome cyber phobia, use computer to improve or develop

business.

Participants’ skills and passions are enhanced

Participants’ are able to respond to community needs and identify

opportunities around them.

DOT Interns have secured fulltime employed

Coaching and business development services. RU Graduates secured

employment, formed cooperatives & small business :

Linkages- increased awareness of the available business development

services , Market opportunities, MFI;

At BDC gasabo, the trend in training local people increased from 36 to 84

participants every month

Applications that target the low end users;

To speed up the quality of services and skills;

To advocate for youth with passions and willing to give back to the community;

To involve youth in various researches and debates on ICT for RD;

The way forward

Thank you!