After the installation of the first telecom community centre in Dakoro (Niger) in 2007, TSF and IT CUP inaugurated a second centre in Telpaneca, on February 4th 2008, in collaboration with the association Indigenous Community of Telpaneca (PIT). The PIT has independently managed the IT CUP centre since January 2011. However, TSF continues to follow its evolution and give advice on its management.
Between the 27th and 31st October 2011, a TSF team went to Telpaneca to provide the telecoms community center, opened 3 years ago, with new ICT equipment. TSF also repaired and formatted the computers, set up office software, provided the administrator of the center with technical advice and installed a new power generator, printer, and photocopier. TSF specialists also carried out ICT training workshops, tailored to the needs of the different beneficiaries.
The centre was set up within the framework of the National Program to Bridge the Digital Divide and for the local development of the region. The mastery of IT tools is an essential factor for the development of the area. The center provides invaluable assistance to the local community and provides a foundation for the different development programs carried out by the local associations. The implementation of concrete services dedicated to those in need boosts the local economy, enables the breakdown of community isolation and improves local living conditions. The Health Center and the Nicaraguan Red Cross are among some of the users of the Telecoms Center.
The Indigenous Community of Telpaneca was established in 1622 to help in the social and economic development of indigenous peoples by creating activities that generate income. Its main goal is to tackle extreme poverty which persists in the indigenous community.
Since the setting up of the Internet, the PIT has noticed a better exchange of information between the different programs and with the partners (sponsors, foundations, authorities…).
The association got in touch with other indigenous organsations from Guatemala, Salvador and Panama. It also obtained an aid grant and the opportunity to take training sessions on the rights of indigenous people with the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. Following the computer and Internet training received in the telecom community centre, the PIT created new communication tools such as a newsletter, a website (www.telpanecaindigena.org), and Excel’s data management tools.
Read the report here
Telpaneca, a land of indigenous people
Telpaneca, the 4th poorest city of the country, is a town of 19,000 inhabitants living at the heart of the indigenous territories in the North of Nicaragua, which is very frequently affected by floods and which, consequently, suffers from total isolation due to the roads covered by the river. Its economy is mainly based on the production of coffee and bananas. The Telecoms Center plays a major role in this very isolated and poor city. Telpaneca is now a region connected to the rest of the world. Thanks to the telecommunications services set up, their daily life has been changed for the better.
Before the installation of the centre, the first Internet access point was in Isteli (2 hours by car from Telpaneca)
The Telecoms Center now consists of 9 computers and provides various services to the indigenous community (Internet, printing, scanning, computer and Internet trainings adapted to the needs of the beneficiaries, cheap local and long-distance phone services and photo services).
The IT CUP Centre also offers a Wi-Fi connection so that a higher number of users have access to the Internet. Wi-Fi links have been set up in the City hall and PIT offices. In addition to the access to information, the telecom community centre enables people to strengthen their relationship with a widespread community; many calls are made every month using Skype to the USA, Panama, Brazil, Spain and Mexico.
- Improving the work conditions of the PIT and the local stakeholders
- Supporting farmers
- Strengthening connections with world’s indigenous communities
- Increasing access to higher education for students and helping them find a job
User distribution and testimonials
Every month, the local coordinators of the centers send reports containing data for our evaluation and follow‐up and statistical analysis. These reports highlight several important quantitative indicators: the number of organizations using the connections, the number of individual users, user distribution (percentages of students, teachers, local authorities and institutions, NGOs, stakeholders in the agricultural sector, entrepreneurs, etc.), NGO catchment, and the number of beneficiaries attending the free ICT training sessions. In addition, powerful testimonies are collected every month from the beneficiaries of the connections. Since the creation of the first ICT community center in March 2007, we have been collecting, gathering, and analyzing valuable data regarding the activity of the centers, to further provide the community with tailored services.
- Students: primary school, high school, university
- Professors
- Institutions/local authorities/NGOs: City hall, National Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Red Cross, Child Protection Agency, Fund for Social Economic and Rural Development, FAMILSALUD (NGO)
- Stakeholders in agriculture: Cooperative UCCPCO, National Union of Agricultural Producers (UNAG SEGOVIA)
Testimonials...
The telecom community centre plays a key role within the community. It’s not only a place to live, but also a place for sharing and learning.
José Benito Bacilio Perez, CEO, PIT
“Internet enables us to communicate more efficiently with our partners (institutions, national and international NGOs…) and to implement our programs.”
Farm worker
« The farm workers need the Internet to know commodity prices in the world food markets and also the distribution network in order to negotiate the best price, to export and to extend their activities.”
Wilber Mejia Gutiérrez, Doctor from the Ministry of Health
“Medicine is a discipline in constant evolution. We work with statistics. The Internet helps us to be up-to- date. We also have access to knowledge on the new drug laws, we can participate in epidemiological research and follow mecial advances at national and international levels.”
City hall of Telpaneca
« We used to send our reports by mail to the central government of Managua, today we can do it thanks to a simple click of the mouse”
Silva Salmeron Francis del Socorro, Accountant
“I work for the government. The Internet enables me to communicate with institutions outside of Telpaneca. I also use the Internet for personal research and help my daughter with her homework.”