ICT developmental organisation LinkNet Zambia has begun implementing network connections in the rural areas of Mekeni and Chingola, in Zambia`s Southern Province.
This is according to Gertjan van Stam, an IT systems developer and founder of LinkNet.
The roll-out began after LinkNet released a master roll-out policy in February, which planned computers and Internet access to more than 200 rural sites in Zambia by 2010, through extensive fundraising.
"We are in the process of setting up a network site for the Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), with fixed and wireless local area networks (LANs)," says Van Stam.
Dr Godfrey Biemba, the executive director of CHAZ, which represents work done by over 125 hospitals, health centres and community-based programmes, anticipates benefits of quick Internet access and an organised online network system.
"For us, it is going to help connect rural Zambia to CHAZ and the world at large, making networking and knowledge-sharing much easier."
Success
The master plan is based on the roll-out in the rural community of Macha, where LinkNet developed a network system for a local hospital in 2004 to help educate health workers.
ICT development has penetrated the local community - providing employment for 165 Zambians, and connecting the community to the outside world. This is encouraging for Zambia`s economic and social development, says Van Stam.
"Macha has proved to be a positive example of how ICT can develop rural communities in terms of health, education and community development," says Bishop Thuma Hamukang`andu, Zambian council of churches. He is working with the rural chiefs to implement the LinkNet master plan throughout Zambia.
The plan
The project is being implemented in stages, with the first 25 sites being set up in the next three to five years, at a cost of 2.25 million euros, says Van Stam.
Research done by the LinkNet Institute estimates the cost of the broader project to supply ICT access to 200 sites stands at between 15 million and 20 million euros.
"We are in touch with local and international donors to raise the money, especially IT and telecoms companies," says Van Stam, adding the project has been supported by the government of the Netherlands and the Zambian ministry of communication.
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