In this area of Nariño, a new Internet Board is born, which provides satellite connectivity to 125 people in the community.
The program seeks to ensure that the Community Action Boards, social and ethnic organizations are providers of fixed internet service to their neighbors or associates, in a commitment by the Government of Colombia to democratize internet access through training and appropriation programs. The goal is to reach 2,500 Internet Boards in 2024.
Thanks to the union of the same community, now all 50 homes in Chilvicito have internet to enhance their learning, productivity and open new business opportunities
“We are an association of cocoa farmers and today, thanks to the Internet Boards – Communities of Connectivity program, we can show the world what we do,” said Yessenia Quiñonez, community leader.
Tumaco (Nariño), Colombia – The stories of change thanks to connectivity are found throughout the national territory. One of them stars Yessenia Quiñonez, a community leader who has dedicated her life to the progress of her neighbors, through her to the Cocoa Growers Association that she directs. Now, thanks to the community fixed internet access that she managed to manage, she can eliminate intermediaries and make this business prosperous, which benefits 125 people from Chilvicito, a village in Tumaco, department of Nariño, Colombia.
The collection, drying, roasting, hulling, grinding and storage of cocoa are some of the tasks carried out by this population to sustain themselves. The production of this food, popular in the region, is the daily life of this community, which hopes to increase its sales and improve demand by having the Internet, bringing more and better opportunities for everyone. This is thanks to the fact that as of today, Chilvicito is another Internet Board – Connectivity Community, launched by the ICT Minister, Mauricio Lizcano.
“In Chilvicito, community power and popular power come together. We are very proud of the work they did. Thanks to connectivity, you can give added value to cocoa and sell not only to Tumaco, but to the entire world. The Internet allows you to have other possibilities. This community broke with the paradigms of the Pacific, such as the fact that only violence occurs here. All of you are an example of what a united community can do: have a better future.“, expressed the ICT Minister, Mauricio Lizcano, very excited, after walking the path and having witnessed how the same community installed the antennas, laid out the networks, and got connected.
In the meeting, which included the participation of Roque Lombardo, general manager of Hughes Colombia; Germán Otálora, director of Microsoft’s Airband program for Latin America; Luis Alfonso Escobar Jaramillo, governor of Nariño and Félix Henao, mayor of Tumaco; The entrepreneurial women of Chilvicito shared their life stories, which will be enhanced thanks to the arrival of the Internet Boards – Communities of Connectivity program. This initiative of the Government of Change seeks for the same social, ethnic organizations and Community Action Boards to provide and manage this service, in exchange for a social economic rate, without exceeding 3,000 accesses.
“We, women heads of families, are an association of cocoa farmers and today, thanks to the fact that we are part of the Internet Boards – Communities of Connectivity program, we want to show the world what we do. We hope that this becomes history, and that in a few years our children will be able to tell what happened today in Chilvicito to future generations. Thank you, this is Colombia power of life”said Yessenia Quiñonez during the event.
This Internet Board, which benefits 50 households, is the result of the strategic alliance between the ICT Ministry, Hughes and Microsoft who, at the end of last year, signed an agreement to develop projects in order to enhance Internet access , generate equal opportunities for all and promote digital transformation in the most remote territories.
“We are proud to lead this initiative together with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications and Microsoft, which enables a world of work, study and training opportunities for more than 120 people in this second phase of the project in Nariño. Furthermore, thanks to training in technical support, ties of development and progress can be woven, beyond the same connectivity.“said Roque Lombardo, general manager of Hughes Colombia.
The inauguration of this Board had a special tone, since the work of Limory Quiñonez, Eymis Alexa Barahona, Danna Castillo, Janyer Quiñonez and Leison Quiñonez was recognized, since thanks to the training provided by the ICT Ministry, Hughes and Microsoft, they were certified as technicians for primary care to the connectivity node.
In addition to this work, with the support of Microsoft, digital appropriation and literacy programs are planned to generate effective access to opportunities for education, work, health, entrepreneurship and community organization to improve the quality of life of the communities: «At Microsoft we believe that internet access and connectivity are fundamental rights for all citizens. However, we recognize that connectivity alone is not enough. To ensure that no one is left behind, we must also cultivate the skills that provide access to opportunities in an increasingly digital world. Therefore, we are pleased to be part of this powerful alliance with the ICT Ministry and Hughes, which will allow us to empower rural communities with access, digital skills, productivity projects and leadership programs, promoting equality and improving quality of life. Together, we are building a more inclusive and connected future for all”said Germán Otálora, leader of Microsoft’s Airband program for Latin America.
The Internet Boards – Connectivity Communities program will continue to bring the internet to the most remote areas of the country, promoting the union and self-management of communities, to together consolidate Colombia as a Digital Power.
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Tags: Colombia, Connectivity, Hughes, Ministry of ICT, SSA
