DOT has received a one year extension from CIDA for our programs in Ethiopia and Kenya and initial funding for a pilot program in Rwanda.  On the basis of a DOT Country Assessment completed in Summer 2006, Rwanda has been identified by DOT as the next country for the roll-out of its program in Africa. Rwanda has made significant progress in the deployment of ICT and is strongly committed to using technology as an enabler of economic and social development.

Tom Musili, who has recently been appointed as the Country Director for DOT Kenya, will be working alongside Stella Njoroge, DOT Kenya's Program Manager and two recently hired Intern Support Managers (ISMs): Mercy Macharia and Moses Opondo, a former DOT Kenyan Intern.  The team is working toward extending its program outside of Nairobi to various regions throughout Kenya.  Mercy will be based in Nairobi and Moses will be based out of Kisumu, representing Nyanza and the Western provinces. 

DOT Ethiopia's ISM, Wondwossen, will be delivering the ReachUp! training to older members and high school students of 'We Are the World Orphanage', a reachout partner of AAYA.  Working with our partners to reach out to the non formal community is DOT Ethiopia's primary goal.   Ethiopia has almost 2 million orphans as a result of AIDs, conflict and famine.

DOT Ethiopia's team recently met with DOT Kenya in Nairobi to prepare for this year's ReachUp! training of Interns.  Both teams immediately identified key experiences and lessons that could easily be applied to this year.  Working together enabled the teams to focus on key programs and logistics necessary for a successful training. 

The ReachUp! training will be held at the 'Computers for Schools' office in Nairobi in April where 15 Kenya Interns and 5 Ethiopian Interns will take part in the event.  The ReachUp! program fosters the development of individual entrepreneurs and equips them with the skills, knowledge and tools to develop a basic business plan for a micro-enterprise and obtain a very small loan or family investment.  Based upon the feedback of DOT beneficiaries and a sustainability assessment by AED, the ReachUp! program has recently been redesigned to incorporate 8 new business modules to the training.  The program will also aim to strengthen linkages between beneficiaries and business development support within their communities, including savings and credit insitutions.