What does it take to establish a Telecentre?

Submitted by Jenny on Sun, 2007-11-18 15:27. :: |

I say it takes a visionary who can put words into actions, a village with great enthusiasm and lots of helping hands from all of us.

Emmanuel is from Kumbo Cameroon, a place that I knew very little about before Emmanuel first wrote to me. Over the last year I have not only learned about Kumbo but also a man with a big dream for his community. I'm posting this message to help raising funds for the re-establishing of the techcefacos.org TeleCentre. I hope this will be one of the many upcoming postings that we can share with you about the progress of the center establishment, and how others might do the same as Emmanuel is doing for the Kumbo community.

iFOSSF is collecting funds on behalf of the techcefacos.org NGO, if you live in the US, your contributions are tax deductible. Read on for more details ...

Jenny


From the Office of the Founder: Tobin, Kumbo-Cameroon

Telecom-MTN: 00237 752 66909 / Orange: 00237 961 92125

Internet: http://www.techcefacos.org/ E-mail: techcefacos @ yahoo.com

Subject: Support the re-establishment Of techcefacos.org NGO TeleCentre, Kumbo

Dear Sir or Madam:

I'm Emmanuel F. Sevidzem-Founder, Managing Director and Full-time Volunteer of techcefacos.org NGO, formerly known as TechCeFaCos Group, based in Kumbo, Cameroon.

It's my wish as the founder of this non-profit making as well as apolitical NGO to express on behave of this NGO our need to solicit funds for the re-establishment of techcefacos.org NGO TeleCentre.

This recent strategic transformation of TechCeFaCos, from a Common Initiative Group (CIG) to an Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) has resulted into many changes and modifications from the Legal Status, Constitution and to more documentations and activities not leaving behind the telecentre, one of our most strategic initiatives and the dream of the Tobin-Kumbo community.

Tobin is the seat of administration of Kumbo, the administrative head quarter of Bui Division in the North West Province of Cameroon. The establishment of techcefacos.org Telecentre is a strategic initiative that will enable the establishment of a public place where it offers local ICTs related services (Documentation, Telecom, Internet, Multimedia Services etc) to the needing, poor and exploited people of Tobin-Kumbo municipality, free of charge or with nominal fees.

The telecentre re-establishment plan is divided into Three Phases Development Strategies, which in the future will involve Business, Government, Community, Academic, Economic and Multimedia participation for an efficient and well-balanced service provision to meet the needs of the community of Kumbo, coupled with fast developmental strategies of the Kumbo Council, Himalayan Institute, Navti Foundation etc.

Benefits

It's anticipated that the telecentre will benefit about 25% of the Tobin-Kumbo population of about a million people / inhabitant as follows:

Tobin-Kumbo Community:

  • the existence of such a Community Multimedia Centre (telecentre)
  • the availability of about 75% of services that were totally absent or poorly available such as Fax, VoIP, Computer Aided Design & Instruction; Web Casting, Telecom Shop, Public Service Broadcasting (FM Radio), e-commerce, Project Writers/Publisher (e.g. web base), ICT Professional Training etc
  • Kumbo Linux Users Group (KLUG) will be able to showcase LTSP (Linux Terminal Server Project) and other FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) through the telecentre LTSP Internet Café and Computer Resource Lab
  • Reduce computer illiteracy as well as creating public awareness on the philosophy and use of FOSS
  • Others-source of employment, income generating, source public information and communication etc

techcefacos.org NGO:

  • source of income for some our NGOs not for profit making programs, activities and projects
  • use of ICT Literacy Centre / Computer Resource Lab for the NGO's Vocational Training strategic initiative
  • use of the ICT Literacy Centre / Computer Resource Lab to facilitate some of our educational programs, activities, projects etc such as the e-kids Computer Programs, Keeping Old PCs Alive etc
  • exhibition of members and schools art project's products for sale
  • the telecentre Multimedia and Arts Studios will be facilitating some of arts and multimedia youths and educational projects, programs and activities such as the Youths & Arts, The Cultural Exchange DVD via Video Link, African Folk Heritage Multimedia Project etc
  • Others: cost saving communication expenses of techcefacos.org NGO, facilitating our volunteering program-Voluntary In English Speaking Cameroon etc

We therefore deem it is necessary to Fund Raise for the establishment of this telecentre, as well as helping us in securing the camtel (Cameroon Telecommunication Cooperation) contract for Bui Division (as the distributor) and also maintain our educational programs.

As mentioned, the telecentre re-establishment plan is divided into Three Phases Development Strategic, whose implementation will be based on the progress of each phase.

Phase One Budget Summary:

  • Fund Raising: US $ 2500 or 1.100.000frsCFA
  • Local Contribution: US $ 3200 / 1.400.000frsCFA (partially secured)
  • Total Funds: US $ 5700 / 2.500.000frsCFA (details are outline at the end of this posting)

Your kind donation of any amount will be highly appreciated may be through a remembrance hook on some of our programs and project posters (such as Creation of New Hope for Basic Education), plaque on the telecentre sign post/wall and or future invitation to witness the telecentre progress.

If you have donated or have referred a friend, colleague or family member to this Fund Raising Message, please provide us your contact details at the donation form if you wish. This information will help us reach you with updates of the telecentre and its related progress / projects etc

Thanks very much for your attention, bye for now, while hoping for your support.

Approved and Sign by:

Emmanuel F. S.

Emmanuel Fonyuy S.

Founder, Managing Director &

Full-time volunteer of TechCeFaCos Group

Sectors

Services

Needs

Cost

frs CFA

Documentation ServiceTyping Setting, Desktop Printing/Publication, Photocopy, CD Burning2 PCs, 2 Printers-laser and inkjet, Photocopy-4in1: Copier, Fax, Scanner, Printer; CD Burner

500.000

Telecom ServiceCamtel Telecom Service (no mobile telecom services) i.e. Calls, Sales of Credit Cards, Fax ServiceSubscription and Installation fee

200.000

Internet ServiceLTSP Internet Café1 Server PC, 3 Client, Modem, Hub, Headset, Webcam, One month Internet fee

500.000

Sales ServiceExhibition of members and projects products for saleShelves, Labels

30.000

Multimedia Studio- - -
Arts/Crafts ServiceDigital Calligraphy, Painting, Drawing, Printing (Screen)Drawing Boards, Pencils, Pens, Paints, Brushes, Papers, Screen

150.000

Community Field OfficeProject Writing for NGOs and Search for Online potential donorsPapers, Pens

30.000

ICT Literacy CentreTraining: Word Processing, Graphic Application, Networking & ICTs CourseBooks, 10PCs, Software, Hub, Cables, Board

900.000

Others Furniture

300.000

Total 2.610.000