Story By Dan Muhuni
(Kenya Times, ICT Reporter/ Specialist)
NetHope in its quest to enhance connectivity and Information and Communication Technology skills building within the NGOs has upped its support through its NetHope East African chapter. NetHope has been able to design, develop, and pilot an ICT skills building program that address the most critical ICT skill shortages in the humanitarian sector.The pilot phase of the ICT skills building program engaged NetHope member NGOs to test the model and provide feedback, with the ultimate goal of adjusting and expanding the program to support the entire NGO sector.In an exclusive interview with Kenya Times early this week, visiting NetHope Global Projects Director Mr Frank Scott said that NetHope is committed to help non governmental organizations use their Information and Communications technology investments to better serve people in the most remote areas of the world. In Kenya NetHope is working closely with NGOs in enhancing ICT skills within their employees. “We have expanded NetHope’s impact by creating Chapters, launching ICT skills building, expanding the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) satellite programme, deploying new Network relief kits, forming new special interest working groups, and launching shared services and innovation initiatives” added Frank.By 2007 NetHope members added over 100 locations to the Etelsat/Skylogic VSAT project where additional NetHope member organizations were trained and certified by Eutelsat to perform VSAT installations. Skylogic also developed two new services for NetHope members namely: Direct bandwidth only Virtual Network Operator Service and LinkStar Virtual Network operator Service. Frank added that the NetHope member interest is expected to shift fro traditional VSAT service to a more Internet Protocol based VSAT service that was adopted last year.According to International Committee International (IRC) Information Technology Manager Mr Nenad Bojovic, NetHope has continually supported NGOs in the world in enhancement of the VSAT technologies since most NGOs are located in remote areas where connectivity is limited. “VSAT technologies are the only way forward for these humanitarian bodies like IRC (which is one of the beneficiaries) who have offices in the remote areas and the marginalised parts of the country. We have applied VSAT technology in our operation since it connects us even to our offices which are miles away, for instance we can connect to the Kakuma refugee camp which is over a thousand kilometres away from our Nairobi head office" added NenadVSAT technology has many advantages, which is the reason as to why it is used so widely today. One is availability. The service can basically be deployed anywhere around the world. Also, the VSAT is diverse in that it offers a completely independent wireless link from the local infrastructure, which is a good backup for potential disasters.Its deployability is also quite amazing as the VSAT services can be setup in a matter of minutes. The strength and the speed of the VSAT connection being homogenous anywhere within the boundaries is also a big plus. Not to forget, the connection is quite secure as they are private layer-2 networks over the air. Last but not least, most of the VSAT systems today use onboard acceleration of protocols (eg. TCP, HTTP), which allows them to delivery high quality connections regardless of the latency. Nenad applauded the NetHope support in providing the VSAT skills and launching Information and Communications Technology skills building which has been vital towards solving common ICT problems.NetHope members include Care International, Action Aid, Catholic Relief Services, IRC, Plan, Water Aid, Federation of Red Cross and red Cresent Societies among many others.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
CFSK pleads with Govt to Waive taxes on refurbished computers
By Dan Muhuni
(Kenya Times ICT Reporter/ Specialist)
Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) in conjunction Computer Aid International have appealed to the government to wave the 25 per cent tax that is imposed in the refublished computers at the port. Speaking during Media visit to the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi yesterday, CFSK Executive Director Tom Musili expressed fears that Kenya is likely to be on the loose as donor countries are forced to dig deep into their pockets to pay the 25 per cent duty. "It‘s very embarrassing for a Non Governmental Organisation that is willing to donate computers to our country for free only to be told to pay taxes at the port for the computers, We are appealing to the government to exempt NGOs from paying taxes on donated computers so that we can be able to continue proving computers to schools." added Musili.Said he : "We currently have 4 containers containing over 2000 computers that have been donated by various NGOs but they are yet to release them until the government of Kenya comes clear on the taxes issue". Kenya is the only country in Africa that has imposed tax on computers that are donated by various NGOs in Africa. Computer Aid International Africa Programme Manager, Gladys Muhonyo conquered with the CFSK saying the Computer Aid International, a world's largest non profit provider of refurbished personal computers to schools and community organisations in the developing world has already donated one container. "We are very much willing to donate computers to Kenya, but its very unbecoming to expect us also to pay taxes on someting we are giving for free to benefit Kenyan schools, we are appealing to the government to reconsider its decision on the taxes issue so that Kenya can benefit from this programme. Its very unfortunate since it’s only Kenya that has imposed taxes on the donor consignment in Africa" added Muhonyo. Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) opened the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya last year, to handle the region’s electronic recycling needs with the help of Safaricom Foundation, City Council of Nairobi, Kenya Airways and some other well wishers.The workers in the plant have been properly equipped and educated on how to handle and separate metals such as aluminium and copper, which can be recycled locally, while motherboards will be shipped to Asia and Europe for disposal, said Musili. “The management plant has a very safe working environment,” said Musili. “We now have the capacity to handle over 2000 computers in a month and its my hope that eventually we will handle the e-waste from East Africa region.” “For the monitors that are considered toxic, CFSK is shipping them to Norway for recycling. The Norwegian government supports recycling of 50,000 tons of monitors from CFSK every year. The monitors are sent to Fair International, which has the expensive equipment required to dispose of the monitors.” CFSK has also been promoting local innovation by recycling CRT (cathode ray tube) computer monitors and converting them to affordable TV sets from as low as Sh4500.
(Kenya Times ICT Reporter/ Specialist)
Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) in conjunction Computer Aid International have appealed to the government to wave the 25 per cent tax that is imposed in the refublished computers at the port. Speaking during Media visit to the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi yesterday, CFSK Executive Director Tom Musili expressed fears that Kenya is likely to be on the loose as donor countries are forced to dig deep into their pockets to pay the 25 per cent duty. "It‘s very embarrassing for a Non Governmental Organisation that is willing to donate computers to our country for free only to be told to pay taxes at the port for the computers, We are appealing to the government to exempt NGOs from paying taxes on donated computers so that we can be able to continue proving computers to schools." added Musili.Said he : "We currently have 4 containers containing over 2000 computers that have been donated by various NGOs but they are yet to release them until the government of Kenya comes clear on the taxes issue". Kenya is the only country in Africa that has imposed tax on computers that are donated by various NGOs in Africa. Computer Aid International Africa Programme Manager, Gladys Muhonyo conquered with the CFSK saying the Computer Aid International, a world's largest non profit provider of refurbished personal computers to schools and community organisations in the developing world has already donated one container. "We are very much willing to donate computers to Kenya, but its very unbecoming to expect us also to pay taxes on someting we are giving for free to benefit Kenyan schools, we are appealing to the government to reconsider its decision on the taxes issue so that Kenya can benefit from this programme. Its very unfortunate since it’s only Kenya that has imposed taxes on the donor consignment in Africa" added Muhonyo. Computers For Schools Kenya (CFSK) opened the East Africa’s first e-waste management plant in Embakasi, Nairobi, Kenya last year, to handle the region’s electronic recycling needs with the help of Safaricom Foundation, City Council of Nairobi, Kenya Airways and some other well wishers.The workers in the plant have been properly equipped and educated on how to handle and separate metals such as aluminium and copper, which can be recycled locally, while motherboards will be shipped to Asia and Europe for disposal, said Musili. “The management plant has a very safe working environment,” said Musili. “We now have the capacity to handle over 2000 computers in a month and its my hope that eventually we will handle the e-waste from East Africa region.” “For the monitors that are considered toxic, CFSK is shipping them to Norway for recycling. The Norwegian government supports recycling of 50,000 tons of monitors from CFSK every year. The monitors are sent to Fair International, which has the expensive equipment required to dispose of the monitors.” CFSK has also been promoting local innovation by recycling CRT (cathode ray tube) computer monitors and converting them to affordable TV sets from as low as Sh4500.
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