COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS' mission is to bridge the Digital Divide. We use information technology as a means to drive social impact and increase the economic prosperity of disadvantaged youth in Sub-Sahara Africa by providing them with the skills, experience, and support that will empower them to reach their potential through higher education, professional careers and entrepreneurship.
Information technology is today an integral part of what we do and how the world functions. In this twenty-first century, interaction between human and computers has greatly increased and being digitally illiterate often implies missing out on the job market and perhaps, economic hardship.
The concept of this digital divide is to capture a multitude of dimensions on the differences between countries, under-privileged members of the society especially the poor, rural, elderly and handicapped portion of the population and people who have and who do not have online access and COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS is here to bridge the gap.
Although the ability to access computers and the internet has become increasingly important to completely immerse oneself in the social, political and economic aspects of the world at large but it is a fact that a large section of the global population has no access to this technology. This is why COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS has put up this site to enhance affordable internet access and advancements in technology within members of the society.
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OUR CHALLENGES- How Deep is the Digital Divide?
The digital divide causes a significant problem in many struggling parts of the world. From research, 83% of the households in Canada have home internet, the corresponding figure for Tanzania is 3%, Zambia 2% and 1% in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Out of the world's 6.4 billion people in the world at large, only seven percent have had access to the World Wide Web.
This obvious gulf in internet usage has been compared to a North-South gap and has in fact grown alarmingly over the last few years. However, it shows that mass computer usage and internet access across a society is still something that is worrisome amidst the less privileged. With a lack of IT skills people from these countries are unable to compete at an international level.
While most emerging nations have caught up in the use of smartphones, only a small section of the population in these countries has access to the internet at home and also with lack of IT skills, people from these countries are unable to compete at an international level.
Consequently, offering training and regular access to computers and the internet for the underprivileged and disadvantaged communities in the world has assumed a significance of massive proportions via COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS
The Impact - Why Bridging the Digital Divide Matters
Currently, computer literacy is a compulsory requirement in almost all jobs, even those that were once thought to be blue-collar jobs. It implies bridging the Digital Divide has far reached economic implications.
It is quite clear that nations that equip their workforce with top-of-the-line digital skills will stay ahead of the rest, remain highly competitive and attract massive investments from private businesses.
Retailers, construction workers, even in manufacturing units, digital technologies are utilized by both staff and workers. This is a clear indication that computer literacy is expected in every job requirement. In addition, even the simple act of applying for a job or searching for one becomes impossible without access to the internet. In many countries, job opportunities are no longer advertised in the print media, they are posted cheaply and directly on the web.
Furthermore, governments are fighting to attract businesses that for the most part, hire an educated, middle class workforce. Regions in the world that have lost out in the digital race and lack the basic digital infrastructure, lose out and fail to get any investment at all.
Which is why addressing the needs of those on the other side of the Digital Divide, who has been left out because of the rapid advances in technology is all the more urgent and important.
Empowering someone with digital technology indicates assisting them to utilize the internet to communicate, learn, innovate, as well as offer opportunities to rise from poverty, ignorance and unemployment.
Our philosophy of Digital Inclusion is not just about being connected or disconnected but to bring about a social inclusion and economic empowerment of disadvantaged communities through the use of technology.
They are:
1. Solid Private and Public Partnerships
COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS aim to regularly engage the community associates and work tirelessly on including training, outreach and education in the preparation process. We aim to develop outstanding relationships with the board of education and build solid links with schools, and also help create a digital infrastructure that is both long lasting and sustainable. Furthermore, COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS is determined to create internet access for underprivileged and disadvantaged communities through strong public and private partnerships.
However, the support of the public and private sector, as well as other non-governmental sectors that work with the community will be highly appreciated.
2. Zero Cost for Users - Easy Access to Affordable Technology
As a technology company, we buy technology – hardware, software and networking equipment – in bulk, and at very low costs. In addition, an integrated set of strategies have been designed and developed which will bring computer hardware, software and internet to the most disadvantaged sections of the society at an affordable price. This is accomplished by refurbishing and reconfiguring the desktop computers as well as networking equipment offered to us at a discount by several companies and government agencies.
3. Specialized Training
Providing people with accessibility to computers along with the internet can never be by itself enough to combat digital divide. Bridging the digital divide requires a dedication that goes far beyond simply providing the primary hardware, software and networking devices and we believe that real digital literacy can only be introduced by way of community technology centers, training and also education.
Empowering someone with digital technology indicates assisting them to utilize the internet to communicate, learn, innovate, as well as offer opportunities to rise from poverty, ignorance and unemployment.
Furthermore, it is vital to make the neglected, underserved and disadvantaged communities absolutely understand how imperative accessing digital resources are by comprehensively training them the use of digital equipment to assist improve their lives.
At COMPUTERS BEYOND BORDERS, we offer professional training to the underserved communities to equip them with the digital skills that are so very important to them
Stage I deployment
The Microsoft Digital Literacy – Standard curriculum
Computer Basics
The Internet and the World Wide Web
Productivity Programs (Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, SQL)
Computer Security and Privacy
Digital Lifestyles
Build Your First App
Graphic Design and Printing Services (InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator)
Computer repair and technical support
Stage II deployment
Dreamweaver / Web design and development (bootcamps)
Computer Programming (bootcamps)
Network administration and support
4. Sustainable Solutions
Our intent is to make the Digital Inclusion technique long-lasting and, hopefully even permanent. For this reason it is crucial to ensure that the Digital Inclusion is backed-up by several financial sources as well as a delivery framework that is not prone to any specific changes in the economic environment and even sustains itself through a weak financial situation. To us, sustainable, long-term solutions are the fundamental key to successfully encourage digital competencies in the underserved communities around the globe.
Revenues are hoped to be generated by providing printing services, which are in very short supply and high demand, and steadily develop local talents to include full graphic design, website design & animation, hardware repair as well as IT services for businesses.
5. Ensuring Accountability
For a Digital Inclusion Strategy to be effective, it must be easily tracked and monitored. Accountability is to any successful program. Consequently, we believe in being accountable to the stakeholders for everything we do is bound to certain significant metrics, which may be verified independently. Each of our programs features certain specific goals, objectives and timelines associated with it, so that they may be easily verified or examined, at any time needed.
