GOOD WORKS
“Studies show that people who have access to the Internet and who are digitally literate are more likely to be economically secure. We believe that real digital literacy can only be introduced by way of community technology centres, training, and education.”
FRANCIS KIASISUA, P.ENG.
that’s because Mr. Kiasisua was inspired by the work of Engineers Without Borders, an organization that supports social innovation to reduce poverty in Africa and other developing countries. “Setting up a non-profit was the best way to help as many people as possible,” explains Mr. Kiasisua. “It’s a platform for many like-minded people to share their time and money and improve other people’s situations, rather than me just sitting here and sending money to Africa.” He partnered with his church — which will provide classroom space — and another half-dozen local volunteers, including two of his former high school teachers. Then he embarked on a six- month fundraising campaign, selling handcrafted Congolese art to friends, family, and contacts across Canada. The money raised — about $5,500 — enabled CBB to buy 30 recycled computers and ship them to Kinshasa. The Centre Intellectuel des Outres Neuves training centre opens later this summer, Mr. Kiasisua hopes. Two of the students he originally funded will be among its volunteer instructors. The training centre’s mission, and that of CBB, is to bridge the digital divide using information technology to drive social impact and increase the economic prosperity of disadvantaged youth. “Digital divide is the gap between people who have access to information technology and those who don’t,” says Mr. Kiasisua. “Studies show that people who have access to the Internet and who are digitally literate are more likely to be economically secure. We believe that real digital literacy can only be introduced by way of community technology centres, training, and education.” CBB will provide different levels of training, from basic computer literacy skills to coding and even graphic design and hardware repair. “It is about training people in the use of technology with the goal of developing their ability to use it effectively for employment, innovation, and wealth creation.”
HAVE TRAINING, WILL SUCCEED
Edmonton’s Francis Kiasisua, P.Eng., started helping his homeland with four training sponsorships for youths at the church he’d attended in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Herve Mayemba, 23, an
unemployed high school graduate, completed a web design course that resulted in a job as a web designer. His new income allowed him to enroll in college, where he’s pursuing an information technology degree. Laetitia Nsimba Matondo, a 28-year-old student, studied productivity software, including Word and Excel. She found a job as a customer service representative at a telecommunications company and continues to pursue her law degree. Another student trained in productivity software, 23-year-old Candy Nlenvo Kandi, landed a job as a transfer agent for a financial services company. Her income helps support her family and has allowed her to return to university to study business administration. The fourth student, Fiston Monyawangere, 35, was a self-employed phone card salesman earning about $50 a month. After a Windows course, he joined the staff of a bank as a network administrator. He’s also been able to return to college to study medical biology.
SUMMER 2016 PEG | 55
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