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Geekcorps is a non-profit organization that sends people with technical skills to developing countries to assist in computer infrastructure development.
The non-profit was created in 2000 by Ethan Zuckerman and Elisa Korentayer in North Adams, Massachusetts.[1] In 2001 Geekcorps became a division of the International Executive Service Corps located in Washington, D.C.[2]
Creation
editAfter a visit to a Ghana library by Zuckerman in 1993, the lack of up-to-date resources available prompted him to create Geekcorps years later. Humanitarian and banker Elisa Korentayer became co-founder of Geekcorps due to the organization's need of financial wisdom.[1] In effort to increase access to current information and bridge the digital divide in developing nations Zuckerman, and associates from his now bought out internet company tripod, funded most of the $350,000 budget for Geekcorps' first year.
Major projects
editGhana
editStarting September 2000, with 6 volunteers selected from over 200 applicants, Geekcorps first mission was in Accra, Ghana. Co-founder Zuckerman was already familiar with the infrastructure of Ghana, and the laws that were relaxed enough for local business to be allowed assistance. Geekcorps initial focus in Ghana was assisting Accran companies with it's IT expertise. Geekcorps had an understanding with local businesses, after receiving help, the businesses involved were were to help the locals with their newfound resources. Initial challenges for Geekcorps were communication and teaching skills needed by volunteers, and reliance on outdated programming languages for local businesses. [3] Geekcorps involvement lead to innovations such as a new java based payment system for local businesses in Ghana.[2] Geekcorps was also instrumental in the creation of Ghana's internet exchange in 2005.[4]
Mali
editAccording to the Geekcorps website http://www.iesc.org/geekcorps Initial assistance in Mali came from the CMRT (Community Mobilization through Radio Technology) program sponsered by USAID. Under CMRT Geekcorps installed 5 radio stations to enable local communication through the area. Later under another program Radio for Peace Building, Geekcorps installed another 11 stations, and renovations were done to older existing stations.
Geekcorps set up ICT stations in less populated areas of Mali in 2006. These stations were updated by a memory stick delivered from a computer center with internet access in Ouelessebougou. Although this allowed many rural locations access to specific web resources, such as web pages and digital media, due to lack of interest the program was modified after a year. Yearly updates to more desired information such as Moulin, a french version of Wikipedia, became the focus.[5]
Current events
editUSAID is funding many projects after combining with IESC.[4]
In 2006, the organization needed volunteers strong in Knowledge Management, object-oriented programming, C++, and Linux for opportunities in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "A Techie Volunteer Corps". www.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
- ^ a b Haqqani, Abdul Basit (2005). The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Global Development: Analyses and Policy Recommendations. United Nations Publications. ISBN 9789211045321.
- ^ Inc, InfoWorld Media Group (2001-07-23). InfoWorld. InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.
{{cite book}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b "Geekcorps: A Peace Corps for techies". CNET. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
- ^ Nightingale, Katherine. "Rural Internet Goes by Road". ScienceAlert. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- ^ "Geekcorps: A Peace Corps for techies". CNET. Retrieved 2017-04-21.
http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2002/Mar/26/tc/tc02a.html http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/t/story?id=98890&page=1
External links
edit- Geekcorps' Website (French version available)
Geekcorps planned article changes
edit- Update article
- reformat and "flesh-out"
- find criticism on introduction of technology to developing countries
Geekcorps bibliography
edit- Habeeb, Ken J. "Geeks in Ghana." Infoworld 23 July 2001: 42-43. Google Books. Web. 31 May 2017.
- Waxer, Cindy. "Geekcorps Volunteer Tells Tales of Mali." PCWorld. Computerworld, 27 Dec. 2008. Web. 01 June 2017.
- Krotoski, Aleks. "MIT Technology Review." MIT Technology Review. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 16 Feb. 2005. Web. 01 June 2017.
- Haqqani, Abdul Basit. "GEEKCORPS, A DIVISION OF THE INTERNATIONAL SERVICE CORPS." The Role of Information and Communication Technologies in Global Development: Analyses and Policy Recommendations. New York: United Nations ICT Task Force, 2005. 178-80. Print.