Projects · Subukia Community Access Point (CAP)

The Community Access Point (CAP) is aimed at providing subsidised access to ICT for residents of Subukia constituency. Made in Kenya Network is seeking partners to implement the CAP to enable community members to access market, government and employment information through the internet and other communication facilities. It will also provide a research case on the application of ICTs for Development. This is in line with the National ICT Master Plan: Leveraging ICTs in Kenya that pledges to support the establishment of a Digital Village in each constituency. Many residents of Subukia live on low-productivity land on which they practice subsistence agriculture and low income activities such as sand mining. There is high unemployment, minimal connection to main grid electricity, lack of piped water, sewerage facilities, roads and affordable healthcare services. The CAP in Subukia will be a significant step in providing targeted ICT access to students from schools in the area, be a virtual office for youth-led enterprises, train teachers, provide an e-marketing platform, access to demographic data and address local concerns.

Connecting the Youth: The Opportunities of ICT

“It is clearly our duty to provide the opportunities of ICT to all children and youth, particularly to those who remain unconnected from the ongoing digital revolution.” ITU Secretary-General in his address on the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day, May 17^th 2007.

PROJECT LOCATION

The CAP premises have been acquired and shall be free of rent charges for an initial period of five years. The facilities available include five rooms and a shop front on a secured 0.4 acre portion of land located 500 meters off the Nakuru – Nyahururu Highway along the MailiSita~Kabatini rural access road (RAR 37-01 MailiSita~Kabatini Road). This is in Kiamaina sublocation of Bahati location, Bahati division in Subukia constituency. The longitude and latitudes are 36° 07' 26.01'' East and 0° 13' 37.52'' South and can be viewed in in details in Google-Earth using this Satellite image (kmz) file.

According to 2005 estimates, Subukia constituency has a population of 167,327 living in an area of 570.3 square kilometers. It borders the Nakuru Town constituency which is home to the Rift Valley provincial headquarters that provides employment and market opportunities for Subukia residents.

The CAP is located in Bahati location which is the most populous location with a population of 54, 298 in 2005 and 59,365 by end of 2007, making up 35% of the residents of Subukia constituency. It has a population density of 414 residents per sq. km, higher than the constituency average of 274 residents per sq. km. It is therefore expected that the Digital Village is ideally located to reach upto 50% of the constituency (expected to be 85,500 by end of 2007) directly.

The picture below illustrates the front view of the CAP premises.

ICT Conference

CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP

The success of the CAP project in the initial 5 year phase will depend on partnerships for the provision of key aspects for this Digital Village. In the absence of a single funding partner, Made in Kenya Network will establish partnerships to support components such as connection to electricity, internet access, computers, printers, a photocopying machine, fax machine and networking and minimal staffing costs. To minimize running costs, the CAP will work with volunteers and interns who will acquire skills for employment and free internet access. Partners may also use the CAP for training and counseling of the volunteers and other community members.

Partners will receive recognition and branding opportunities though all publicity events and material related to the CAP. The benefits will include publicity through media coverage, on our partners/sponsors page, international exposure when the project wins awards, an opportunity to participate in bridging the urban-rural digital divide and to reinforce Good Corporate Citizenship. The various categories of partners are outlined below:

1.0 Power Partner:

The Power Partner will provide or fully fund connection to main grid electricity or equivalent solar power.

2.0 Internet Partner:

The Internet Partner will fund installation and free access to broadband internet connection for the five year period.

3.0 Hardware Partner:

The Hardware Partner will fund equipment such as computers, accessories and audio visual electronic equipment (e.g. projectors, video camera and television) for the five year period.

4.0 Software Partner:

The Software Partner will fund or provide free software for all project computers for the five year period. The software per computer will include operating system, office applications, video and graphics editing, statistical analysis and accounting software.

5.0 Media Partner:

The Media Partner will be the exclusive media channel for the CAP and will publicize and market the concept to the public. The partner will also be free to use the centre as a news gathering and distribution point for the Subukia area.

6.0 Service Partner:

The Service Partner category will apply for a partner who sponsors specific aspects of the project that may be implemented by a third party costs such as banners and media adverts, computer maintenance, carpentry of furniture by local youth, stationery and supplies such as paper and toner.

~ 6.1 Service Partner (Stationery & Supplies)
The Stationery and Supplies partner may choose to supply the products for a period of 30 months. The same may also be acquired using the funding from the Service partner.

~ 6.2 Service Partner (Furniture and fittings)
Carpentry of furniture by local youth will promote income opportunities in the constituency. The service partner will be encouraged to finance the furnishing of the premises by youth rather than providing ready-made furniture.

~ 6.3 Service Partner (Painting and Branding)
We invite paint manufacturers and other partners to finance the painting and branding component of the project. The work should preferably be done by local youth under supervision of a qualified painter or artist.

~ 6.4 Service Partner (Training)
The Training Partners will provide free ICT-related training for community members such as youth groups, administrators and teachers for the five year period. The training will cover software, hardware, internet and other aspects such as policy and application of ICT in business and community development.

~ 6.5 Service Partner (Personnel)
The CAP seeks to limit the level of personnel expenses and mainly work with volunteers who will benefit by gaining skills and exposure. Partners may provide volunteers or finance the cost of one year’s salary budget.

To support the CAP project, please Contact Us.