RECENT ACTIVITIES
1. Social media
Capacity Development
ABDO supported two centers in Matobo and Tsholotsho
districts. These are located at DonkweDonkwe and Dombo Community libraries.
Through our initiative the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenization and
Empowerment, converted a Vocational Training Center and used 10 computers donated to them and
connected to the internet.
At Donkwe Donkwe Community Library 200 School children
access internet per week while an average of 10 out of school youths and adults also
visit the internet facility. This translates to a total of 1000 people (65% of
whom are females) access the internet per month from this center only.
At Dombo Community Library where we donated 1 computer about
25 children and 10 adults visit the internet per week.
In addition, through
our initiative, at the local VTC internet café, we trained
10 youths who manage the center. On average, 15 people (80% females) visit the
café daily. 300 youths and adults visit the center per month. The youths we spoke to said they enjoy chatting with friends on platforms like Face
book at the center.
With funds
permitting, these youths could be trained in other ways of using the internet
as social media forum. These could be done in the form of workshops.
2. Training on use of
the internet & social media
A total of 16 people (10 youths and 6 librarians) were
oriented on basic IT in Tsholotsho and Matobo to date. Of the 10 youths 7 were
girls while 3 were boys. Of the 6 librarians, 4 were male and 2 females. More
training is required especially on the users to maximize the benefit of the
internet as social media.
We had a massive reading campaign in Tsholotsho where over
500 people participated in the march. The occasion was graced by the District
Administrator who was the Guest of Honour. District Education Officer and heads
of governmental departments also attended the function including other
development partners
3. Lobby and advocacy
Each of the 3 districts have a District Committee
representing the 20 – 30 study circles of the area. These form the voice of the groups they
represent and lobby for the representation and recognition in their areas.
4. Staff training
One (1) Field staff workshop was held at UBC in Harare were
topics like mobilization sills, monitoring and evaluation were covered to 23
members of staff, both local and National Office staff. This increased their
general consciousness and hence will aid total transformative development in
their respective areas.
