The work back in and for the village is progressing.
With another coffee pick-up scheduled within the next couple of weeks and the registration process huffing and puffing but slowly getting there, we now have a working email address and a website that is currently under construction.
A few weeks back I registered the domain name: keto-tapasi.org, parked it so to speak and during the last week I have begun the task of realising the vision of making the Keto-Tapasi Progress Association the first one in PNG with an Internet presence. An interesting situation as there is no one in the village that has ever used seen the internet – let alone used it, some have heard about it but no one really has a clue what it might have to do with life back in the village and their futures.
True…. Why create a web presence for folks that are only a blink of the eye out of what some might refer to as a primitive life style?
I can think of a few benefits and these are as follows:
- Someone has to be the first – so why not us?
- A great way to market the Association to potential funding sources.
- The perfect medium to attract eco-tourism.
Having said all of that, here’s the gist:
Email address: toksave@keto-tapasi.org
Website: www.keto-tapasi.org
Good one Rob!!! Get a wireless access point going as well and get some of the One Laptop Per Child laptops.
A wireless access point in the village is impractical at this stage due to the high ongoing costs of running VSAT. The other thing to consider is the fact they they do not have power yet. Having said the above – definitely a worthwhile vision and something that we need to work towards.
Regarding the One Laptop per Child – I have heard mixed reports within PNG and if you have any information that might be of benefit please let us know.
R
Forgive me, I actually missed the band wagon on this one (One laptop per child) as I only found out about the this bloc site recently. Actually, the government has some programms for rural electrification and they are some organisations funding solar power installations in villages, like PNG sustainable Energy, however its only for Western Province through land owner proceeds from OK Tedi. This programm worked very well as where there is solar installtion, there was also internet access and phones installed. But regional organisations like South Pacific Commission (SPC) and others do have some programes on Enegy in the Pacific. Actually SPC has a successfull pilot program on one laptop per child installed in one of the schools in Central Province in 2008. The education department is excited that they are now planning and budgetting for the programme to be installed in other rural schools in PNG. Anywhere, a more practical place to install will be at Yawe Moses (Chuave) High School interms of security of facility and equipment and hook up health, police, Agriculture extension, all primary schools in the vicinity, who are poteniall users of the internet and get on with sovling the problem of cost sharing issues and bringing the cost down. Rob, you are right that its expensive to host one where there is limited users.
nana
Nana,
Another challenge when introducing technology into the villages is to have the locals look after these assets. I donated a laptop to the Association a while back and am loathed to ask of it’s current whereabouts. I here on the grapevine that it has found its way into the hands of someone at the District Office.
Robert