Infopoverty Institute and WCE working together for sustainable development
When WCE learns about potential strategic allies, or they learn about our work, inevitably the question comes up: How can we work together? Moving from those initial conversations to real projects can take time. We believe time is our friend…..and is what ensures success. This is the case with our relationship with Dr. John Steffens, Director of the Infopoverty Institute.
Our upcoming shipment to the Dominican Republic took 17 months to organize. During that time, ten Partner organizations were vetted, 7 were through Infopoverty's efforts. Funds were raised. A consignee was identifying and selected – in this case Bishop Julio Holguin of the Episcopal Diocese of the Dominican Republic. And it was the yeoman’s work by the Infopoverty Institute of the University of Oklahoma that made all the difference.
We learned of the Infopoverty Institute years ago though an ICT subgroup of the United Nations. Yet it was through this project anad working with the Institute that we realized that our organizations were a natural fit. They offered WCE support in reaching out to new Partner organizations in the Dominican Republic as well as helping with the logistics, arranging for computer storage and classroom space for iEARN and Waveplace technology and teacher training. Infopoverty Institute, working with the Education & Training Institute, will be providing, training, technical assistance and content.
The computers are expected to arrive in Santo Domingo today (December 15th) will connect 10,805 youth in 22 sites in the DR and 2 additional sites in Haiti. Gathered, tested, prepped and shipped from our Chicago Chapter led by Jack O' Donnell, these computers are preloaded with Spanish or French language content. (See our November article on Walgreens) In April a team of eCorps volunteers will arrive to help with the finishing touches to making our 10 Partners even stronger than before. There are travel grants available for this trip. If you are interested in going on our eCorps trip to the Dominican Republic email us at: ecorps@worldcomputerexchange.org
