Digital Opportunity Trust
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Where We Work
DOT programs have been localized for Africa, the Middle East, Southern and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region, North America and China. Every year, these programs impact and connect thousands of people including youth at risk living in slums in Kenya and Ethiopia, aspiring entrepreneurs in Lebanon, and teachers and students in Mississippi and Louisiana.
DOT programs include:
DOT partner NetCorps programs include:
Why Africa is a Unique Opportunity
In response to growing demands in Africa, DOT is building a Pan-African base of operation in Nairobi, for local ownership and operation. This platform is coordinating national programs in Ethiopia and Kenya with a view to operating in six more African countries over the next three years.
We are working with communities that are overcoming poverty, low levels of basic education and literacy, as well as the absence of infrastructure that the most developed communities take for granted. DOT Africa addresses the critical need to build African capacity to apply ICT in African communities to support economic and social development, improve rates of employment and business start-up and enhance the role of women in the economic sector and the society.
Opportunities in the Middle East
After a brief pilot phase in which DOT established proof of concept in the Middle East, DOT's work set root in an incorporated, Jordan-based chapter of the organization: Shabakat Al Ordon (formerly Netcorps Jordan). Working with small-to-medium enterprises, we have helped local entrepreneurs to integrate ICT tools into their business processes and created a similar entrepreneurship project aimed at micro and small businesses.
Shabakat Al Ordon is now in the process of launching and implementing four programmatic themes: Shabakat Shabab (Youth-based project), Shabakat Taleem (Education-based project), Shabakat Al Um Wal Tifl (Mother & Child project) and Shabakat Tawasol (MSME Linkage project).
DOT has recently launched a new Income Generation Through ICT for Development project in Lebanon, which builds upon the success of the innovative community-based sustainable tourism programme from 2003-2004. The initiative stimulates entrepreneurial and small enterprise development and empowerment of vulnerable groups in communities affected by conflict and economic dislocation. DOT's work has also reached into Egypt.
Expansion into Southern and Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus region
As part of its 2010 Scale Strategy, DOT is expanding its operations to focus on Southern and Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus region. In response to the developing need in these regions, DOT Azerbaijan and DOT Turkey will provide ICT-enabled training and programs to promote digital inclusion and 21st century community-led economic development to local community participants.
DOT Turkey’s initial demonstration program is set to launch in 2009.
And in the USA and China…
DOT USA was launched in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, to support Cisco Systems Foundation's response to the crisis. As of October 2006, more than 100 schools in Mississippi and Louisiana are discovering how technology can help teachers to deliver a richer education experience to more than 57,000 K-12 students.
DOT USA is responsible for training and managing "Interns", who are coaching teachers to bridge technology and curriculum for their students. This 21S Internship program has been designed for local students and alumni interested in strengthening their leadership skills and gaining work experience that is relevant to the careers they wish to pursue.
Sharing lessons learned and building on the early impact and success of the TeachUp! program in the USA, the DOT China education initiative engages young university students and recent graduates to serve as TeachUp! Interns in schools in Sichuan Province. This initiative, in partnership with Cisco, addresses post-earthquake reconstruction priorities in China.
Together, DOT China and DOT USA form a Community of Practice where Interns, teachers and students can share their experiences and perspectives and learn from one another.
