
James has also made progress on a joint ENVODEV - Chad Now project to spread computer literacy in Chad. Although internet cafes have penetrated much of Chad's capital, in other populated areas of Chad, residents have no access to computers. Encountering competition from big business in N'Djamena and facing $20,000+ licensing fees, James has transitioned the project to a new geographic area and realigned its focus.
An agreement completed today utilizes the ENVODEV-Chad Now collaborative to equip a computer center in Moussoro that will provide computer fluency courses to local residents. With a projected population of 18,000, Moussoro serves as a regional center for commerce. Although government officials and businesspeople in the region are supplied computers, the absolute absence of computing knowledge leaves this beneficial technology unemployed. The ENVODEV-Chad Now collaborative is cooperating with a local nonprofit to first train local Moussoro residents to run the computer center, and then to hold classes that teach computer fluency. Since class attendees have never before used a computer, classes start with the basics and progress to more advanced functions like word processing.
Check back soon for more news on ENVODEV-US Director James Gibson's collaboration with the UN in Chad and the computer fluency center in Moussoro.