October 20, 2016 By Kadie Saffa
A non-profit Organization, Village Link, has commenced an Information Communication Technology (ICT) Programme at Golu village few miles from Gerihun Town, Baoma Chiefdom in Bo district.
In an exclusive interview with Concord Times, Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the organization,Rozanne Johnson, who worked in Golu village as a Peace Corp Volunteer in the late 70s,said the internet connection was made possible Via a Satellite (V-SAT system that provided a fast and excellent Wi-Fi link.
He said the centre would not only serve residents of Golu village and its immediate environs, but would also attract others who would be paying a reasonable fee to raise funds to maintain the service.
She said the ‘Village Link’ project would incorporate other educational programmes, including various aspects of digital literacy, software for basic education, adult literacy, and solar energy installation and maintenance.
Johnson continued that the project was intentionally undertaken separately from the normal school system to accommodate those who did not go to school or attended any formal educational settings, adding that they were also providing pre-school education.
She disclosed that donors in the US were supporting the Village link financially, adding that she was also using part of her late husband’s wealth to fund the project.
She explained that during her stay as Peace Corp Volunteer at Golu village, she made lots of good friends which prompted her return in 2011 and had a pleasant and excellent re-union.
She added that prior to her return to the US after the 2011 visit, one of her Golu friends requested that she helped them with educational materials to replicate what she did 33yrs ago by setting up a small library in the village.
“I visited Golu in 2012 and suggested the idea of constructing a digital library but I ended up constructing a resource centre with funds from my organization. I brought in solar panels for electricity, but unfortunately, Ebola struck in 2014, causing the project a setback,” she said.