PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAILS SENGEREMA TELECENTRE, TTN and IICD

On the 2nd November, 2008 IICD mission presided by Dr. Styn Van Der Krogt accompanied by the IICD Country Representative to Tanzania Mr.Nicolaas Moens visited the Union of the Association of People with Disabilities Sengerema District Branch.
The objective of the visit was to share with members of this Union on the potential of the Internet recently connected to the their office during the implementation of the Wireless Mesh Network Project which was launched on 26th October, 2008

During discussion delegates of the mission wanted to know from the members of the Union the reasons that made them to aspire for the Internet. Members of the Union elaborated that ‘after some of us undertaking computer training at Sengerema Telecentre and being involved in the activities of the Telecentre as one of the user groups as well as the information given to us by the Sengerema Telecentre leadership we have realized that Internet is one of the tools that can easily facilitate our endeavours for improving our standards of living.’

They explained that among them there are those involved in economic activities like, carpentry. Tailoring, and other crafts, Internet will be useful for obtaining contacts for markets and materials. They also, would be able to accesses partners and more technical and financial support.

They insisted that with their desires for capacity building in terms of training and other social developments Internet is a key.

Delegates of the mission wanted to know how most of the members will make use of the Internet facility provided. Leadership of the Union revealed that there is a plan already underway to encourage members of the Union to enroll for computer training at Sengerema Telecentre to acquire more knowledge for those who have already undertaken such training, also make sure that every association has computer literate members to be able to utilize the Internet facility. They made it clear that the leadership of Sengerema Telecentre has agreed to provide them with the training at a special arrangement convenient to the Union in terms of costs, access and materials.

In order to facilitate training and use of computer and Internet, Union members expressed their need of support for specialized equipment for some of their associations that can not use normal equipment and materials, like the blind that need special computers also, special sign language materials for the hearing impaired. The request was noted with concern by the delegates of the mission and assured the Union members that IICD is very happy about their decision to join the ICTs initiatives which is one of the most important elements of IICD for the development of the rural and marginalized communities, thus, they are following closely to see its achievement.

The members of the Union asked delegates of the mission to convey their gratitude to the leadership of IICD for they have been informed that, the Internet project is being supported by IICD through TTN, ‘without your support we could not be able to enjoy this facility today’, they said, and complimented Sengerema telecentre for its concern about the situation and involvement of people with disabilities in the initiatives of improving life standards of the Sengerema community.. They concluded by “indeed, we feel we are part of the society and promising better standards of our lives. May the Almighty God bless even more, Sengerema Telecentre, TTN and IICD?’