DOT’s engagement with our community partners is critical to the success of our community based programs
and works to multiply the impact of our partner’s own resources.

We choose community partners whose missions will be fulfilled by the partnership with our DOT programs.  Our community partners include, but are not limited to:

• Youth Focused Partners who select members to become young technology Interns in our program (Youth organizations, colleges & universities etc)
• Beneficiary Focused Partners who select members to participate in the community program (Business Associations, Women’s Advocacy Groups, Youth at Risk organizations etc)
• Access Partners who have telecenter or technology classroom facilities where participants can be trained (Community telecenters, schools, universities, other NGO’s)

Internship model

DOT’s approach is to recruit and train talented young people from partner countries to become Interns. They are usually 20-29 years of age, 50% of which are female and have a huge appreciation and hands on application of technology as well as a desire to see their community grow with opportunity.  Because technology is not enough on its own, we teach them about leadership, project management, facilitation, communication, how adults learn and collaboration. These Interns then set out into their home communities, under a one year supported work experience supplemented by a stipend, where they share and transfer their knowledge through facilitating community participants in formal learning programs and guiding practical technology projects that respond to local needs and opportunities.

DOT provides these emerging specialists with a purpose, experience and path to become their country’s technology champions and live out their dreams as business owners, entrepreneurial employees and community enablers.