ABDO

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.