Uganda Development Services (an NGO) started a project to empower the rural poor.

Project Description
The project is involved in providing information and training to residents of rural areas in order to empower them.

Project Objectives
The project aims to uplift the poor by providing them with information and training opportunities.

Intended Beneficiaries
The rural poor are the intended beneficiaries of this project.

Partners Involved
Most of the equipment as well as funds have been donated by UDS, UK. Other donors include the British Council, Book Aid and others who have donated books

Impact: Costs and Benefits
The development benefits are reflected in the large number of people that this project has managed to train. Moreover the equipment makes valuable services available to the people.

Lessons Learned
The use of standard equipment has been an enabler for this project as hardware, service etc are locally available. With the growing popularity of resource centres more opportunities for the growth of these centres will arise.

Constraints/Challenges
UDS used reconditioned equipment and therefore faced frequent equipment malfunction. Power cuts were another stumbling block encountered. A language barrier was a third problem while providing services to the locals, since most of the material was not in the local language.

Sustainability Factors
Since UDS is reliant mainly on external funding, its long-term sustainability seems unlikely.

Project or Related URLs:

http://www.sustainableicts.org/UDS F.pdf