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Digital Links see the provision of hardware as just one step in a developmental process, and we believe that development work is often best achieved as part of a broadly based partnership. We work with a range of other organisations on projects involving ICT in order to genuinely increase opportunity and alleviate poverty.
Our project partners have diverse interests, yet they all share our commitment to using ICT to improve education, health, governance, and communication; and to create economic and employment opportunities
Computers to Schools
In May 2006, Digital Links began working with ADCOME to assist in cell phone giant MTN’s Schools Connectivity project in Cameroon. DLI has helped streamline the costs and distribution of technology for the project by providing low cost computing and enabling the project to benefit from a CISCO donation programme.
Cameroon’s targets have been exceeded and we are on track to set up 40 computer centres this year
Connectivity
We have worked with Action Aid in Sierra Leone on a project that makes use of a VSAT connection and a wireless network to bring connectivity to a whole community. It is designed to improve access to educational resources by connecting schools to a centrally held electronic library of content. Health institutions, the police, and local government offices are connected to each other and the Internet through a central support centre.
ICT For Science Education
Digital Links is involved in an innovative project to improve the standard of Science teaching through the use of ICT. The project, centred on the Giyani Education Multi-Purpose Centre in the Mopani District of Limpopo province, combines Open Source software with 'thin client' networking, and includes training for teachers in how to use state of the art Science education materials. The project involves collaboration with some of the leading ICT organisations in South Africa including the Shuttleworth Foundation.
Collaborative Learning
An exciting international education project that involved young people from the UK and Africa has been carried out in a number of schools that have received support from Digital Links. The Young People’s Commission for Africa was an initiative that encourages schoolchildren in Africa to work with their peers in the UK to generate new ideas and action for a strong and prosperous future. Digital Links were asked to involve schools that they have been working with, by Plan International and Gemin-i.org, who are running the project.
Solar Power
Digital Links has been working with World Links to computerise primary schools in Rwanda. This is a particular challenge, as 94% of the schools, especially in rural areas, have no electricity supply. To answer this need, Digital Links developed a product consisting of a refurbished laptop powered by a solar panel.
Recycling
In the first project of its kind, we are looking at the practical considerations for recycling computer equipment after it’s second useful life in Africa. The process will involve recycling most of the equipment locally, with the hazardous waste being re-exported to specialist recyclers in Europe. It is expected that on a large scale, this will be cost neutral.
 
Local communities and NGOs, international NGOs and donors, providers of software, and pioneers in rural connectivity are the organisations that Digital Links International seeks to work with in creative partnerships for development. For more information on becoming a project partner, email: partnerships@digital-links.org.
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