BOSCO Uganda

While I am here in Northern Uganda I have been volunteering for BOSCO Uganda. BOSCO stands for Battery Operated Systems for Community Outreach. It is a young organization started on the premise that communication through the internet in rural Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps can help in peace building and development here in Northern Uganda. There is a feeling of isolation in the IDP camps and BOSCO wants to "break the silence."

When BOSCO begins training trainers in the communities they have to start from the basics. To many people here, a computer is a "mystery box," but after training they see it as a communication tool. For the community it is cheaper than cell phones and because of the internet there are many other advantages, such as online newspapers, wikipedia, google search and social networking.

Right now the amount of computers does not meet the demand so BOSCO is hoping to expand. While I am there I am helping to develop and implement a Monitoring and Evaluation system, extend the training manual and help with the training of trainers. It is exciting to be a part of a young and growing organization that opens up the world of possibilities in the rural areas. You can visit boscouganda.com for more information.