Operation Tech Start aims to connect kids and communities in Tanzania to Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that improve their educational and economic opportunities. Read our latest blog entry!
Operation Tech Start is a nonprofit project of Southern New Hampshire University’s Community Economic Development graduate program. Our goal is to upgrade the information and communication technologies (ICT) for the street children and struggling farmers in Tanzania by providing a computer curriculum & teacher training and laying the groundwork for connectivity in the rural regions.
Our Mission:
1. To educate the practical application of new technologies
2. To preserve cultural values while improving the lives of people in Tanzania
3. To strengthen partnerships between African & American entities
Through our on-the-ground projects we will assess the ICT capacity in Tanzania and provide solutions for a phase II project, Operation Tech Smart, with the ultimate goal of empowering Tanzanians to innovate and appropriately adapt new technologies.
Partners
Center for Community Economic Development (CCED)
The Center for Community Economic Development is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the SNHU School of Community Economic Development. CCED acts as a center of practice in CED. It engages faculty, staff and graduate students in affordable and at times pro bono consulting services, and incubates innovative programs that make unique contributions to the field. CCED staff provide technical assistance to government agencies and community organizations, and support CED projects. In 2003-04 CCED consultants developed a new community development corporation, conducted a quantitative analysis of a CBO planning to transition into a community developer, and supported master planning in a local community.
In September 2001, the Open University of Tanzania , Africa, and the School of Community Economic Development, United States, started the first master’s degree in community economic development to be offered in Tanzania and East Africa. The program is designed for African practitioners working, or intending to work within a community based organizations committed to carrying out highly effective, participatory and sustainable programs.
Internet Society
The Internet Society (ISOC) is a nonprofit organisation founded in 1992 to provide leadership in Internet related standards, education, and policy. With offices in Washington, DC, USA, and Geneva, Switzerland, it is dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution and use of the Internet for the benefit of people throughout the world.
The goal of the ISOC Program Funding Initiative is to enhance the Internet environment around the world. This program initiative is intended to help ISOC Chapters and Members establish creative local programs in support of ensuring the “Internet is for Everyone.” In December 2007, Operation Tech Start was awarded $10,000 from the ISOC to launch phase I of the project.
Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd. (TTCL)
Tanzania Telecommunications Company Ltd. (TTCL) has the most extensive Telecommunications Network covering all regions in the Tanzania Mainland and the Isles. The Company operates with a capacity of some 250,000 telephone lines, with connections currently concentrated in the urban areas and a few semi-rural communities and proposed projects to expand DSL and ISDN access.
