Alfonso's Computer Literacy Center
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Alfonso’s Computer Literacy Center
Kabale, Uganda
Alfonso got kicked out of school when he was 10 years old because his school fees weren't paid. Through much struggle, he mananged to get back to school and eventually graduate from college. He learned something in college that his commuity never taught him - basic computer skills. Now he wants to open a Computer Literacy Center to educate the many people from his community that will never go to college. This campaign not only allows him to get started as an entrepreneur in an economy hostile to young people, but will also begin to break the systemic poverty of his community through computer education.
We travelled to Uganda in 2013 to visit the young girl we support, and met Alfonso at the House of Hope, a children’s home in Kabale. The home takes in orphans and provides for their basic needs and education. It has been around for more than 7 years now, and some of its children are going into college. The home supports the children through college, but the problem is that there are not many jobs available afterward.
Starting a business in Uganda is challenging because of the lack of infrastructure and scarcity of business resources. Additionally, Uganda suffers from having an extremely low income per capita ratio and a brutal history of corruption.
The best way we have found to overcome this massive issue is to start locally and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs. With this knowledge we partnered with Alfonso and launched this campaign to make tomorrow bright for him and many more that he will equip. With your help we can do it! Read on and lets overcome together.
The Goal
To aid Alfonso in realizing his dream of owning a Computer Literacy Center, and mentoring him to ensure its sustainability so it can be a catalyst to the community’s long term growth.
Location and Background Info
In southwestern Uganda, the Kabale Municipality has a population of 44,600, and is part of the larger Kabale district which has a population of 498,300. Alfonso’s Computer Literacy Center is focused on educating adults 18 and older which is 40% of the population. Only 7% of the population of Africa is online, and Uganda also has very limited access to the internet’s information and tools. There is a great need for even basic computer literacy skills to equip the community to get jobs, or to allow them to thrive in their current businesses.
Fig. 1 Global Internet Usage
Alfonso the Entrepreneur
Alfonso’s father left when he was young, and, with school fees unpaid, he was kicked out of school. He found his way back to studying and eventually completed college. With the computer knowledge he gained in college he dreamed of starting a Computer Literacy Center, and has been mentored in the last 6 months to launch this business so that it is successful and sustainable. During this time, his mother passed away, but he has continued his determination to support his sister who suffers from mental illness, and to transform his community by making computer learning easy and accessible.
Services Offered
Alfonso’s center will offer classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Access, and Internet browsing. It will also provide printing, and copying services. When classes are not in session, the community can come in and rent time on the computers.
Projected Monthly Income $739
The estimated income below is intended to make the center self-sustainable and affordable for the community. The target for monthly income is $739 USD. Here is a table of the projected Monthly Income with estimates converted from Ugandan shilling to USD:
Monthly Expenses $509
Expenses will be kept reasonable and sustainable. Estimated Expenses are converted from Ugandan shillings to USD:
Capital Expense $5,702
As you may know, it is difficult for a young entrepreneur to get a business loan from a bank in Uganda, so this is where we can parter together to get Alfonso's center off the ground. Here is a table of the capital expenses needed:
Summary
Investing in an honest business would impact the city of Kabale, but to get behind a business that services the community for its growth and advancement is truly an amazing thing to be a part of. Alfonso is ready to launch the center as soon as we have enough funds. Would you contribute to Alfonso's Computer Literacy Center and his efforts to educate his community? If so, donate and share this campaign page today!
-David and Amy Swift
*All Ugandan Shilling to U.S. Dollar conversions are based on the exchange rate as of October, 30 2015.
Kabale, Uganda
Alfonso got kicked out of school when he was 10 years old because his school fees weren't paid. Through much struggle, he mananged to get back to school and eventually graduate from college. He learned something in college that his commuity never taught him - basic computer skills. Now he wants to open a Computer Literacy Center to educate the many people from his community that will never go to college. This campaign not only allows him to get started as an entrepreneur in an economy hostile to young people, but will also begin to break the systemic poverty of his community through computer education.
We travelled to Uganda in 2013 to visit the young girl we support, and met Alfonso at the House of Hope, a children’s home in Kabale. The home takes in orphans and provides for their basic needs and education. It has been around for more than 7 years now, and some of its children are going into college. The home supports the children through college, but the problem is that there are not many jobs available afterward.
Starting a business in Uganda is challenging because of the lack of infrastructure and scarcity of business resources. Additionally, Uganda suffers from having an extremely low income per capita ratio and a brutal history of corruption.
The best way we have found to overcome this massive issue is to start locally and mentor the next generation of entrepreneurs. With this knowledge we partnered with Alfonso and launched this campaign to make tomorrow bright for him and many more that he will equip. With your help we can do it! Read on and lets overcome together.
The Goal
To aid Alfonso in realizing his dream of owning a Computer Literacy Center, and mentoring him to ensure its sustainability so it can be a catalyst to the community’s long term growth.
Location and Background Info
In southwestern Uganda, the Kabale Municipality has a population of 44,600, and is part of the larger Kabale district which has a population of 498,300. Alfonso’s Computer Literacy Center is focused on educating adults 18 and older which is 40% of the population. Only 7% of the population of Africa is online, and Uganda also has very limited access to the internet’s information and tools. There is a great need for even basic computer literacy skills to equip the community to get jobs, or to allow them to thrive in their current businesses.
Fig. 1 Global Internet Usage
Alfonso the Entrepreneur
Alfonso’s father left when he was young, and, with school fees unpaid, he was kicked out of school. He found his way back to studying and eventually completed college. With the computer knowledge he gained in college he dreamed of starting a Computer Literacy Center, and has been mentored in the last 6 months to launch this business so that it is successful and sustainable. During this time, his mother passed away, but he has continued his determination to support his sister who suffers from mental illness, and to transform his community by making computer learning easy and accessible.
Services Offered
Alfonso’s center will offer classes in Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher, Access, and Internet browsing. It will also provide printing, and copying services. When classes are not in session, the community can come in and rent time on the computers.
Projected Monthly Income $739
The estimated income below is intended to make the center self-sustainable and affordable for the community. The target for monthly income is $739 USD. Here is a table of the projected Monthly Income with estimates converted from Ugandan shilling to USD:
Monthly Expenses $509
Expenses will be kept reasonable and sustainable. Estimated Expenses are converted from Ugandan shillings to USD:
Capital Expense $5,702
As you may know, it is difficult for a young entrepreneur to get a business loan from a bank in Uganda, so this is where we can parter together to get Alfonso's center off the ground. Here is a table of the capital expenses needed:
Summary
Investing in an honest business would impact the city of Kabale, but to get behind a business that services the community for its growth and advancement is truly an amazing thing to be a part of. Alfonso is ready to launch the center as soon as we have enough funds. Would you contribute to Alfonso's Computer Literacy Center and his efforts to educate his community? If so, donate and share this campaign page today!
-David and Amy Swift
*All Ugandan Shilling to U.S. Dollar conversions are based on the exchange rate as of October, 30 2015.
Organizer
David Swift
Organizer
Redwood City, CA
