Role of ICTs in community development

The access to information and communications technologies is a right of every individual for his/her sustainable development and access to the global economic platform.

Situations we have encountered in the Child Headed Household Mentoring programme have revealed the need to improve access to information and communication technologies to some less fortunate individuals from our communities.

The following problems were noted

 Most schools in rural and urban areas do not have books in their libraries with a few having outdated reference books.

 Lack of properly functioning libraries in rural and high density areas to adequately supply current information to students.

 Lack of facilities for disabled people to access information and services.

As part of Frontline’s objective to offer sustainable solutions to communities' problems, our social enterprise arm (Shape the World) has been working on ways to improve access to ICTs for all.

One of the projects that our IT team has been involved in is securing computers that are to be used in Information centers that will be situated at Growth points as well as in high density areas as soon as all the regulatory framework is put in place.

 These centers will be operating as hybrid internet cafés and computer schools offering interactive based learning in a wide range of subjects, video editing, website & graphic designing, career guidance and parenting skills for orphans, among others.

 One of our main strategic thrusts has been in the field of research and creation of soft-wares that allows for proper access to ICTs for people living with disabilities.

This concept is being successfully implemented at our Log On business hub in the Bulawayo city centre where we are offering internet services and ICT training among other services.

To improve access to ICTs for the visually impared, we make use of the Non Visual Desktop Access (NVDA), a free and open source screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system, which by providing feedback via synthetic speech and Braille enables blind or visually impaired people to access computers running Windows at no extra cost.

This then allows them access to internet and hence an unlimited access to information and communication technology.

It is hoped that the expansion of this initiative to more sites (both rural and urban) will go a long way in empowering disadvantaged members of the community.