On June 18th, the YMCA of Lebanon and DOT held a graduation ceremony for the first round of graduates of the CIDA-funded Income Generation Through ICT for Development (ICT4D) project.  800 local partners and guests were in attendance.  Distinguished guests included His Excellency the Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. Martial Pagé, and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA Lebanon, Mr. Ghassan Sayyah. 

Launched in 2008 with generous support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), the ICT4D program has helped build ICT and business skills capacity of vulnerable groups (women, youth, unemployed) in selected communities to increase their business skills, employment and income-generation opportunities. 

The project reflects CIDA's heightened commitment to initiatives that are part of a broader development plan, locally owned and developed and supported by a coordinated effort among donor organizations.   The ICT4D project contributes to CIDA's reconstruction priorities in the area of socio-economic development in Lebanon.  The project also helps to leverage relationships with the Lebanese and international private sector to effect lasting change at the community level.

Ambassador Pagé complimented DOT and this partnership program and the tremendous impact it is having by improving the technical conditions in Lebanon, especially for the rural villages. By providing information and access to ICT, local business owners are increasing their monthly incomes and overall quality of life.

16 ReachUp! Interns, including 9 young women, have trained and coached over 600 community participants.

"This training created the opportunity of empowering [the participants] with the necessary knowledge by giving them the chance to learn, to stay "updated" with the development of technology and computer skills", says Intern Taline Ladayan.   Many of the participants, including marginalized housewives, do not have access to information and resources and are eager to find employment for themselves in order to support their families.

Manal Saadeldine Zrayka is an example. After completing the ReachUp! training, she  was invited by the Forum for the Handicapped to become a computer trainer.  In total, Manal trained 40 disabled and non-disabled persons on the use of computers.  The ReachUp! program helped increase Manal's self- confidence and personal monthly income.
 
Fatima Baltaji began incorporating the use of a computer to keep track of her invoices and finances for her women and children's clothing store. 

Many of the community participants completed business plans for incorporating ICT and business skills into their enterprises and every day lives.