Because Project FOCUS is a small organization with limited resources, we have chosen to plan the development stages in terms, and to address one development project at a time; valuing quality over quantity.
Project Focus is partnering with local organizations in rural Southwest Uganda to launch an Internet Café, providing access to information and communication previously unavailable to residents of the region. The Café will also provide technology skills training, a revenue source for a local community-run primary school, and allocate space and tools for the production of creative multi-media projects.
Web access provides communities with the opportunity to improve social welfare, and claim their voice in the global conversation on strategies for rural development. With this service, the local populace will benefit from direct links to job, educational, weather, and health information, as well as more efficient markets for produce and products.
The next stage may include the establishment of additional art-therapy/creative media projects, water and sanitation projects, an earth-brick income generation project, and other ideas coming from community members.
The long-term vision embodies continual support of holistic, sustainable, community-driven initiatives in the areas of education, health care, economic development, and psychosocial needs in the community.
In rural Uganda, most teachers, students, farmers, business owners, and health care providers work without access to information and communication technologies that can transform their lives in simple yet profound ways. "Lyantonde Connected" is an audio documentary that lets community members offer their perspectives on the benefits of having easier access to the Internet.
