Central Equatoria State’s Yei River County witnessed a major milestone in digital development as the Community Creativity for Development (CC4D) officially launched its Community Internet Initiative at the CC4D Bright Makerspace in Yei on Monday.
The initiative is expected to expand access to reliable internet, promote digital literacy, and create new opportunities for innovation and learning among young people and the wider community.
Speaking at the event, Keji Esther, the hub manager, said the project is a game-changer that will empower youth with access to information, skills, and global connections. She urged the youth to take up such opportunities to build their skills.
“We believe that with the internet, we connect the unconnected, and within Yei River County, we have come to learn that access to reliable internet has become a problem,” she said. “That is why we decided to provide internet for youth, partners, and community leaders to develop the future we intend to have in the digital era.”
For his part, Mathew Lubari, the executive director of the Community Creativity for Development, said the initiative is aimed at building a generation that is equipped to compete in the digital world while addressing local challenges, and that the space has trained more than 300 individuals fully equipped with knowledge on electronic waste management and creativity.
“We do training in basic and advanced ICT, and electronic waste management. We aim to manage electric waste by repairing, collecting damaged electric gadgets, and coming up with creative ways of recycling,” he stated. “In Yei, we have trained up to 350 individuals, mostly in basic ICT, with 70 percent male and 30 percent female.”
Meanwhile, Gaga Frank, the chairperson of the Yei Youth Association, encouraged young people to take full advantage of the facility to improve their skills, innovate, and create employment opportunities. He cautioned against using the facility to incite violence.
“Before you think of getting employment, you must have computer literacy, and I am appealing to the public to make proper and responsible use of the internet,” he said. “We have seen many young people using the internet to incite violence, creating situations that cause panic. I just want all of us to use the Internet Initiative that has been launched today in the community responsibly.”
The Community Internet Initiative aims to bridge the digital divide by providing reliable internet access, supporting online learning, and strengthening local innovation systems.
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