"...it will never be sufficient merely to establish physical facilities, whether communications networks or computers (assuming there is electricity), without ensuring that these facilities will be utilized by its users to the greatest extent possible." (3)
ICT Cluster Model
Clusters: focused, efficient, relational
CFA's approach is not scattershot. We focus our efforts on specific towns or districts within a country, developing ICT in one or two areas at a time. This "cluster" approach maximizes the use of human and financial resources; less time and money are spent on communication and travel for everyone. It also enables us to make a broad-based impact in a rural community, strengthening the business and educational climate in the whole district as a significant number of schools join the program, meet, and work with each other.
Providing a computer lab is the first step in promoting ICT development in a district. The second, perhaps greater step, is networking and corporate learning. Representatives from beneficiary communities in the whole area meet again and again in CFA Internet workshops and maintenance and repair school. Here, as colleagues, they gain confidence in themselves and each other. Pride in their district and their rural schools with "big city" ICT services grows. It changes how they see themselves and how the country sees them.
After working with CFA for a year, beneficiaries in rural Masaka formed their own association for educational support. They will soon be the first high schools in Uganda to put up a web site: www.bbukka.org.
"I have no doubt that Masaka District is now considered competitive in ICT with the urban parts of the country."—Herbert Busiku