NetHope ups its commitment to enhance ICT skills to NGOs

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.