Download
1 / 12
120 likes | 236 Vues
The Electronic Information for Youth Employment (EIYE) project addresses the high rate of youth unemployment in Uganda by equipping young individuals with essential ICT skills. By providing free access to computers, internet connectivity, and instant information via SMS, EIYE aims to keep youth active and productive. The initiative also facilitates connections to job opportunities, improves socio-economic status, and builds confidence. Key partnerships with organizations like EIFL and local governments help identify needs and market the project to the youth, ultimately fostering self-employment and job seeking.
E N D
ELECTRONIC INFORMATION FOR YOUTH EMPLOYMENT (EIYE)BYSTELLA NEKUUSAPrincipal Librarian-National Library of Uganda
PROBLEM/COMMUNITY NEED • High rate of Youth Unemployment • Lack of skills to use ICT/access points • Idleness, desperation, vulnerability to vices, manipulation Idle unemployed Youth involved in political demonstrations
SOLUTION • Keep the youth busy • Get the youth active and productive EIYE aims to • Provide basic ICT skills • Connect youth to opportunities • Improve youth socio-economic status • Build confidence
HOW • Training them in : essential computer applications; internet connectivity; mobile phone sms communication • Provide free computer and internet access • Provide them with instant information on opportunities via sms • Create a database of information relating to their needs.
PARTNERSHIP AND ROLES EIFL Main project funding organization NLU Grant recipient and overall project coordinator Librarians • Train the youth • Create a database of their information needs • Communicate information via sms • Advertise and market the project
PARTNERSHIP and ROLES cont’d National Youth Council • Identify unemployed youth and their needs • Market the project among the youth Masindi and Lira Local Governments • Provide infrastructure • Market the project to central government Youth • Enable the implementation of the project and market it to other youth
TECHNOLOGY • Computer sets for document processing • Projectors for group training • Mobile phones for communicating information instantly via sms • Internet connectivity for sourcing information and social networking
IMPACT • Computer Literacy-400 people who had never touched a computer can now search for information on the internet. Find job openings and required skills and qualifications, find training opportunities. • Job Seeking- So far 1 copy typist, 1 secretary, 1 records officer found jobs • Job creation- Hope for self employment provide secretarial services etc. • Study opportunities-Students applying for university education online
IMPACT Cont.. • Computer applications- A pastor testified that he no longer has to pay for secretarial services which saves him money and time. • Internet Networking- The students now have e-mail accounts, face book and tweeter accounts to share current information and communicate. • Information-Market information is accessed on Google trade. • Confidence-At the World Book Day celebrations Public Debate, students confidently got involved in the debate on e-books vs. printed books.
LESSONS LEARNT Challenges: • Computer illiteracy among youth is overwhelming (90%) • Language barrier which caused drop outs and students lagging behind • Computers are few compared to demand for the service Achievements: • Youth turned up in large numbers showing interest in the project and are proudly talking about their new skills which has widely marketed the project.
CONCLUSSION • Emulating the project in other public libraries Starting with libraries that already have computer and internet technology in the library • Start a mobile computer training service
