The IT Training and Resource Centre Improvement Programme
In August 2007, EntreMundos received a donation of 10 computers from an Oregon-based non-profit, Partners in Solidarity. These 10 computers marked the start of the realisation of the Resource and Training Centre. Through this Centre, EntreMundos is able to provide non-governmental organisations and community associations in Western Guatemala with a greater access to a wealth of resources and information and can better support their organisational development, with a particular focus on building their information technology skills.
In September 2007, EntreMundos began to provide on-site trainings on various computer programmes, as well as one-on-one technical support for organisations. The positive feedback we received from these organisations to the opening of the Resource Centre and the IT Training Workshops provided the catalyst for our desire to further expand and improve on these services.
Through a donation from another one of our partner organisations, the Planet Wheeler Foundation, we will now be able to offer a wider range of software packages, books and guides related to non-profit management and information technology, foundation and NGO research databases, improved IT training courses, as well as networking sessions for organisations to share their respective knowledge and experience.
In addition, EntreMundos also plans to provide a comprehensive directory of social services providers in the Western Highlands. This directory will serve as a crucial reference for organisations, allowing them to be better connected and become more aware of the available services and informed of organisations doing similar work. EntreMundos’ pivotal role within the NGO sector in the Western Highlands gives the organisation a unique advantage to take on the role of conducting the research for this directory as well as having it published and distributed.
Details of all specific project goals, objectives, activities and outcomes for the IT Training Workshop and Resource Centre Improvement Progamme are described below.
Project Goals
The goals of the project are to continue to build the capacity of organisations through training and information sharing as well as to foster an environment for discussion and inter-organisational cooperation.
Project Objectives
Within a one-year period, EntreMundos will assist NGOs and community-based organisations in the Western Highlands by:
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Offering free access to information technology, equipment and research databases to at least 160 organisations
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Improving networking and connections amongst organisations working in the region
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Providing information to organisations on other organisations doing similar work
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Improving the IT capacity of organisations to help them better manage their organisations and make them sustainable
Project Activities
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Conduct IT training courses, as well as one-on-one consultations.
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Provide access to information technology: computers, printers, word processing, accounting, and design software packages, as well as broadband internet.
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Provide access to research databases: a Guatemalan NGO database and a foundation database.
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Provide access to guides and resources related to non-profit management and information technology (computer training resources in the most common computer programmes: Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet Explorer).
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Hold networking sessions for organisations to share their respective knowledge and experience.
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Research and publish a comprehensive directory of social services providers in the Western Highlands. The directory would serve as a crucial reference for organisations, allowing them to be better connected and more aware of the available services and informed of organisations that may be doing similar work.
Anticipated Outcomes
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100% of our partner organisations will have free access to computers, high speed internet, IT classes and one-on-one training
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75% of the organisations will acquire and apply IT skills and demonstrate an increased capacity in the use of computer programmes
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50% of the organisations will be able to conduct more effective and successful fundraising
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75% of the organisations will be able navigate the web and communicate via the internet
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75% of the organisations will become familiar with other organisations doing similar work
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50% of the organisations will develop networks with other organisations
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75% of the organisations will have at least one staff member who can manipulate technology
We at EntreMundos very much look forward over the coming year to seeing the fruits of this project manifest themselves within the local NGOs we are here to serve.
