SALAM E-INITIATIVE 

Introduction

Information technology impacts on our daily live in many fundamental ways.  Through ICT we can prepare letters, compute our finances, manage data, communicate with others and acquire information on almost any topic.  ICT skills have become essential for almost any form of employability as well as to conduct business.  ICT can also play a significant role in enhancing community capacity.  Yet it cannot be denied that there is no equal access to its mastery and use.  

The more well to do have easier access.  For example in the Subang Jaya community, that is a higher-end neighborhood; about 80% of the households have internet access.  Others in low-income communities are not so fortunate.  Without access to ICT, they are left out of opportunities, which would give them greater personal and social mobility.  Thus the so-called “digital divide”. 

Several government agencies, are undertaking programs to bridge the digital divide.  These include the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, MIMOS, Ministry of Youth and Sports and Pusat Zakat.  Response to these initiatives have generally been positive. 

SALAM is seeking also to bridge the digital divide through three important features: firstly, focus will be on low-income communities and other disadvantaged groups, secondly, there will be focus on greater community responsibility in owning and managing the project and finally volunteers will be placed at project sites to train participants and train local as trainers. It is envisaged that though these efforts, sustainable training centers “owned and managed” by the community itself, will be established. 

Click here to download introduction video clip. http://www.volunteer.org.my/download/salam-e.mpg

Objectives 

  1. To bridge the digital divide in marginalized and underprivileged communities;
  1. To establish sustainable IT training centers in these communities
  1. To act a collecting center for usable computers and to refurbish these computers to de deployed to the community
  1. To build a core of ICT volunteers to train and provide technical support to these centers.

Target-groups

Through the e-initiative, computer centers will be established in low-income communities in both urban and rural areas.  Communities selected will be those with no or limited access to such opportunities to learn. In these areas awareness and training will be especially focused on the children and youths.  However, adults will also be encouraged to acquire computing skills.  Special focus will be on:   

§         Pre-school children

§         Primary school children

§         Secondary school students

§         Unemployed youths

§         Housewives

§         Single mothers

§         Individuals interested in doing business 

Also targeted will be communities in need such as Orphanages, Welfare homes, and centers for the disabled.

Benefits of the training

Through ICT it is hoped that program participants can reach their higher potential in education, career, business or community relations. Participants will learn the benefits of a word processor, preparation of spread-sheets, exploring the potentialities of the internet and communicating through the e-mail.

 

Course Outline

Basics of Computing

§         What is a Computer?

§         Key components of hardware

§         Understanding Software

 Hardware Maintenance

§         Installing hardware

§         Managing hardware

 Operating systems

§         What is an operating system?

§         Using Windows

 Word Processing

§         Preparing text documents

 Spreadsheet

§         Creating spreadsheets

§         Uses of Spreadsheets

§         Budgeting

 Using the Internet

1.      What is the internet?

2.      Using an internet browser

3.      Surfing on the world wide web

4.      Using search engines

5.      Sending and receiving e-mails

 There will 3 levels of training.

1.      Basic one-day introductory classes

2.      The core 50 hour training program

3.      Specialized courses – educational material, preparation of the curriculum vitae, using of computers to prepare business proposal, budgeting

 Partnership in Program Implementation

There will be two levels of partnership in the implementation of the program; national and community level. 

 National Partnership

 At the national level, there will be strategic partnership of three groups: 

  1. Yayasan Salam Malaysia acts as the overall initiator, coordinator and implementer of the initiative.
    1. Refurbishing of the used-computers
    2. Training volunteers to refurbish computers as well as undertake the hardware
    3. component of the training
    4. Provide final certification for deployment of computers
    5. Assist to develop a system for hardware maintenance of computers at site.

  •  Assist repair and maintenance of hardware at site

  1. Microsoft Malaysia will provide the required software as well as provide specialized training for use of the software. Microsoft is expected to:

a.      Provide licensed Windows XP and Microsoft Works for all personal computers in the project

b.      Provide educational software for training

c.      Assist in the training of Certified Microsoft Trainers

d.      Assist in Project funding

 

Community level Partnership

At the Community level, the local Resident Association or Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampong is expected to play a significant role in managing the project.  Generally the community is expected to: 

  1. Provide the site for the Center
  2. Develop the appropriate infrastructure – wiring, electricity etc.
  3. Provide the tables and chairs
  4. Transportation of computers from SALAM to site
  5. Ensure security of premises and safety of participants
  6. Recruit the course participants
  7. Work with the volunteers to develop the training schedule
  8. Manage course participants
  9. Assist in managing the program

 

  

Implementation- SALAM- e-initiative 

There are several phases in the implementation of the SALAM e-initiative.

Phase 1:  Promotion of the Program through the electronic media

Awareness and information of the program will be promoted through the print and electronic media with 2 primary objectives; to seek financial and material resources for the program as well as reach potential communities who may seek to apply to participate in the program.

 Phase II:  Collection of used computers

SALAM has actively publicized the program through word-of-mouth, friends, volunteers and through the electronic media, especially ERA Radio.  The response has been extremely positive.  To date about 300 personal computers have been pledged.  Some PCs have been delivered. Sources include: 

 Asia-Pacific Development Information Program (APDIP)

EcoEvent (M) Sdn Bhd

World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

Private companies and NGOs

Individual

 We look forward for continued support from the public, companies, government agencies to contribute to the IT Recycling Center.

 

Phase 3:  Refurbishment of Collected Personal Computers

Specialist volunteers have been training volunteers on hardware and software.  As part of the hardware training the participants are expected to diagnose the used computers and repair or replace parts to make it in working condition.  Software installation and operations is also taught. The refurbished computers are tested again by specialist volunteers and certified for deployment.

Currently, this training is undertaken at SALAM’s training room.  SALAM has established an ICT training center at its headquarters, that will be developed into a permanent IT training center.

 Our strategic partner in hardware support, training and final certification is BGM Computer Automation.  Our strategic partner in software support and training is Microsoft Malaysia.

  

Phase 4: Volunteer Training

A Training for Trainers Program will be held to train volunteers who will eventually be responsible for the actual training at the sites. Through this process, SALAM hopes to develop a pool of IT trainers that will be sent to the Community Centers to conduct training and provide the needed support. 

  1. BGM Computer Automation will conduct the hardware training
  2. Salam volunteers will conduct the software training
  3. SALAM is seeking assistance from Microsoft to assist in the training of trainers.

 

 Phase 5: Community Center Preparedness

For communities interested in establishing IT training Centers, SALAM negotiates with the community leaders, clarifying their roles and duties and SALAM’s role and contributions.  The community’s role and responsibilities has been stated above. 

SALAM in turn will provide:

  1. Used computers
  2. Relevant software
  3. Provide minimal support in infrastructure
  4. Send volunteers to conduct the training
  5. Provide technical support to ensure smooth running of program

Once these conditions are accepted, and the infrastructure is ready, deployment of the computers and the placement of volunteers begin.

 

Phase 6: Deployment of Computers to Community Centers

Once the computers as ready for deployment, SALAM will send the computers to the site and wire-up the entire system in preparation for the training.

  

Phase 7: Volunteer Placement and Training

Volunteers are placed in the Community Centers to conduct training for various groups including:

  1. Youths
  2. Housewives
  3. Adults
  4. School-going children – primary and secondary
  5. Elderly

 Training covers hardware maintenance, the use of common application package and the use of the internet. SALAM is developing a training manual for all trainers. The training will be modified to suit the needs of the particular target group.

  

Phase 8:  Building of Sustainable IT Training Centers

SALAM volunteers will work with the community to ensure that the community leaders plan for managing the center on their own.  SALAM’s input will be the training of volunteers from the community itself.

IT in the centers can also be used as a tool in administration and community development.  Community leaders will be guided on the use of technology for this purpose.

 

Community Training Centers

A.     Established Training Centers

Currently we are running the following centers:- 

1.      Community ICT Center, Pangsapuri PKNS Seri Kembangan, Selangor.  The community has a population of about 3,500 residents residing in 18 blocks of low-cost flats.  This is a Selangor State government project for low-income earners.  Most residents are government employees and from squatters from other communitiesits. The Center started its operation in July 2004 with 90 students registered with one full time volunteer teacher and 2 part time trainers. URL: http://www.pusatict.bravehost.com/ 

2.      Rumah King CCDP Project.  Located in an Iban community in the District of Julau, Sarawak.  Started its operation in May 2003 with 60 students and one full time trainer. URL: www.geocities.com/rumah_king 

3.      Pusat ICT Desa Ehsan, Selangor.  Located in hardcore poor resettlement in Sabak Bernam Selangor.  Started its operation in Mar 2003. 

4.      Pusat ICT Kedesa, Perak.  Located in a remote in Pengkalan Ara, Perak with 60 students registered.  Started its operation in Jun 2005

 

B.     Work in Progress

5.      Lebak ICT Center.  Located in a remote village in Temerloh Pahang.  Target date: 30 Aug 2005 

6.      Pusat ICT Sri Cempaka.  Located a low cost flats in Sri Damansara, Selangor comprising of 781 units of low-cost flats with a population of about 2,343.  The residents were formerly from squatter communities as well as victims of fire from Selangor and Wilayah Persekutuan.  The Resident Association is very active and the infrastructure is being prepared for the Center. Target date: 15 Sep 2005 

7.      Kg Paris 1 CCDP Project.  Located in a remote village in Kinabatangan, Sabah.  Target date 15 Sep 2005 

8.      Pusat ICT Seri Cemara.  Located in low income community in Sri Damansara, has a total population of 1,000 residents in 390 units of low-cost flats.  The population are primarily victims of fire and flood as well as squatter settlers from Jinjang and Kayu Ara.  Most are working as low-income workers in the private sector.  The Resident Association is very active and the infrastructure is being prepared for the Center.  Target date: 30 Nov 2005 

9.      JKKK Kampung Batu 20, Selekoh, Perak.  Located in a remote village in Rungkup, Selekoh Perak.  The Resident Association is active and the infrastructure is being prepared for the Center.  Estimated 650 students will undergo training sessions at the Center. Target date: 1 December 2005 

C.     Negotiation and Planning Stage

There has been interest from other communities who have heard about the project.  These communities are currently being investigated: 

  1. Persatuan Penduduk Bukit Nenasi, Bukit Rakit, Kuala Terengganu
  2. Persatuan Penduduk Charuk Punting, Temerloh, Pahang
  3. Persatuan Penduduk Felda Cempelak, Johor
  4. Persatuan Penduduk Felda Gemas, Negeri Sembilan
  5. Persatuan Belia Kelab Bell Tamil Taiping

 SALAM is also exploring requests from

  1. Cheshire Home
  2. PDK Selayang
  3. PDK Rawang
  4. PDK Sungai Udang

(PDK are community based centers for the physically and mentally handicapped)

 

Conclusion

It is expected that through this program more youths will be contributing as volunteers to the bridging of the digital divide in communities in need.  Communities will also be “catching up” with their more prosperous neighbors in optimizing the use of technology for their personal and professional betterment.