There is currently a gap between people who enjoy the benefits of technology and those whose lives could be significantly improved by it. Inveneo, a non-profit organization believes that access to communications has the ability to save lives.
In order for people in underdeveloped countries to advance with faster services and more opportunities, they need a stronger connection to the outside world. It will take the rich countries who are already experiencing the benefits of technology to do something major in helping those who do not have this luxury. Inveneo, a non-profit organization that was developed in 2004, is doing just this. Inveneo’s goal is to send out tools for Information Communication Technology to people in organizations worldwide who can benefit from this advancement. They identify, recruit, train and certify ICT partners to help lead and maintain their projects in foreign countries and Inveneo leaves the revenue in these rural areas for the citizen’s benefit. “Since mid-2006, when Inveneo released its first product, Inveneo and our partners have supplied gear to or completed more than 45 projects in Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Mali” (1). Inveneo is making it a point to use a dependable product and service without punishing the environment; keeping things natural, safe, and inexpensive for the people in these poor rural areas.
Although I understand that there is controversy with companies like Inveneo going into foreign countries and introducing their technological practices onto them; at the same time, I understand and approve more, the benefits of this service. Many countries, especially the younger generations that have a long road ahead, want to become involved in the new technology that the western cultures like America find to be a number one gain in society. In order to become involved, it typically takes higher earnings to be able to afford a computer and its service provider. With Inveneo, people are able to experience technology first hand in their current conditions. While navigating Inveneo’s website, it appears that those cultures taking on these computer projects and labs, etc. seem to greatly enjoy the opportunity that has come knocking at their door!
Having computer access in poor rural areas Worldwide is beneficial in more ways than just one. It goes beyond the surface of just surfing the net, e-mail and chat. With the improvement in technology, people are now able to educate themselves, which in turn will advance them in their future opportunities. Some remarkable key issues that Inveneo focuses on are: helping save lives (rural healthcare and relief), providing better economic opportunities in agriculture and market access, helping enforce human rights by making it more able to monitor and report cases, offering a better future for children through education. Also, open source software can be viewed by everyone without the expensive software license issues. “Each of the Inveneo Communications System’s components low-power design make them cost effective to deploy using solar or other types of alternate power with battery back-up (e.g., wind, partial grid, micro-hydro, etc.)” (1). Saving money through this cost-effective method will enable people in underdeveloped countries to focus more on furthering themselves through this new window of opportunities.
With a computer people are able to make sense of the world and stay connected. It makes it possible for people to design a resume, apply for jobs, contact businesses, trade with business, make faster transactions when ordering products or banking, get an education online, consult articles and online information for medical cures, or find answers to any dilemmas in their life. I think it is healthy to give every individual who is suffering from lack of income or resources a computer. Through organizations like Inveneo, the individual can advance his or her own knowledge and continue to share this knowledge with others.
(n/a) http://www.inveneo.org/ (2007) Inveneo
