The Container Project
– repatriating technology –
The Container Project is a not-for-profit Community Multimedia Center
providing access to new technology for marginalised and under-educated
people in rural communities. The Project promotes the use of the Internet
and other multimedia platform as a new and innovative means of learning
and creative development for career boosting activity and empowerment
through the use of information communication technology and computers.
Our main strategy lies in the introduction of the
use of computer related technology to grassroots communities, empowering
the youths and long-term unemployed in developing and improving their
ability to successfully interact with the new and emerging technologies.
The "Container" is a phisically a 40ft shipping container
unit, equipped with computers and other forms of communication media.
It was designed to be transported across the island, setting up workshop
projects, introducing the target groups to the creative and productive
use of computer software and hardware, communication technology, giving
access and demonstrative communication skills to those who would otherwise
not have had these opportunities. (In the pilot phase the Container
has been “immobilised” at Palmers Cross; in the first instance
because we did not have a chassis, but, in the months after the launch,
because of the communitys' attachment to the project.)
The project recognises the fact that as the developed
world increasingly turns to ICT in all aspects of everyday life –
for communication, business, trade, information and pleasure –
people in developing countries are being left behind. Thus the gap between
rich and poor, developed and developing countries is widening. The Container
sets out to address this imbalance, it's concept is simple:
1. To build a mobile computer resource facility that
is familiar in its appearance so as not to intimidate its target users.
(Shipping containers are a familiar sight along the Jamaican roadways
as a form of localised development infrastructure.)
2. Equip the Container with computer terminals and Internet connection.
3. Deliver a non-profit mobile access space to new technology for marginalised
urban and rural communities linking them to their heritage and cultural
backbone. Giving creative individuals / marginalised groups open access
to computer equipment.
4. Drive the Container into the heart of the communities where people
are most marginalised.
5. Work with grass roots people to demonstrate the value of ICT and
DTP– showing how it can enhance people’s lives through improved
communication and access to new opportunities for both business and
pleasure.
6. Provide basic training in computer software and Internet use by multimedia
professionals from around the world.
7. Aim to establish a permanent local Internet provider (Cyber Center)–
whether this is setting up links with an existing resource that may
exist nearby, or fundraising for provision where none exists.
8. Move the Container on to new communities, building connections and
networks along the way.
In short, the Container is a mobile workstation existing
primarily to provide simplified access to information technology about
topics that are distributed over a number of different applications.
Some fifteen plus computers and other equipment in the specially converted
container will form the core of a roving multimedia center. The Container
will work with local and international collaborators and artists to
produce a series of multimedia workshops. At the most basic level the
Container will function as a link to new media resources; at a more
advanced level it will provide considerable added value and training
to the existing workforce and a resource for information and communication
source information. The project will also be collecting donated computers
to set up a series of multimedia workshops in communities that the Container
will be visiting across Jamaica extending the prospect of free access
and continuous connectivity with the project and facilitation groups
around the world. The main objectives of these workshops are to facilitate
the idea of alternative networking between the Caribbean islands and
the rest of the world. Creating a Do-It-Yourself medium through the
use of computers and new technology.
1. Environment
The facility is situated in a mobile refitted 40ft shipping container
with open windows and doors. The container is located on an asphalted
open lot in close proximity to the well-known Parker Pond, a landmark
in Palmers Cross.
There are 16 workstations running three operating systems
-Windows, Mac OS and Linux with CD R/RW and DVD players, Printers and
other peripheral.
All the equipment is available for community use. The Project provides
video taping, audio recording, graphics design and other basic software
manipulation.
The training methodology encourages users to pursue their own interests
and ambitions, calling upon the help of colleagues and professionals
as and when required. The Container offers the opportunity to learn
and produce using office applications, multimedia and music, and also
involves participants in day to day hardware and operating system maintenance.
2.1 Connectivity
A land line was recently installed by CW Jamaica. Application had been
made in 2000. It is hoped that the Container will receive sponsorship
for an ADSL line in March 2004 which will enable it to provide Internet
services.The Container makes use of Open source technology and operates
in a Linux based network server.
2.2 Power
The facility is supplied by the national grid (JPS co), and as such
is subject to the vagaries of periodic power cuts due to load shedding
and various other reasons. The risk posed by varying voltages to the
Unit is countered through the installation of a 220V system using UK
power points which are fused .
2.3 Adequacy of the physical
facilities
The facility is adequate to fulfil its current remits and forms an integral
part of the ownership policy under which the community feel that the
facility is very much a part of them.
3 The Users
There are currently 210 registered users of the facility, who range
in age from 6 up to 65 years. There is no upper age limit barrier. The
user group are broken down as follows:
20% Ages 6-12 years
70% Ages 13-30 years
10% Ages 31-65 years
Several users travel from up to 20 miles away to use the facility.
3.1 Level of education
62% users have education up to Grade 6- 9
12% have secondary education
15 % have primary level
<3% have tertiary education.
3.2 Occupation
The break down of occupation among users of the Container is as follows:
Unemployed 43%
Students 36%
Self-employed 15%
Employed 3%
Professional 3%
The employed group includes those which work in bars and stores in Palmers
Cross, May Pen and environs. Of those self employed, some are mechanics,
chicken farmers or involved in the building construction trade. Of the
unemployed are young men and women, of varying educational standard
with nothing to do.
3.3 Percentage awareness and
receptiveness to information and communication technology
Almost 100% of visitors to the Project leave with an appreciation of
ICT and its potential value to them and their community.
3.4 Percentage experience in,
or exposure to use of the information and communication technology
Approximately 3% of members were already exposed to information technology
and have used it in one form or another prior to coming to the Container.
3.5 Daily percentage level
of usage of ICT facilities by community members
Usage varies with the highest number of persons coming in the afternoons
and on Saturdays. The Container is open 10 hrs per day and can accommodate
50 persons per day. On average about 75% of capacity usage occurs each
day. Palmers Cross is located in central Jamaica/south east Clarendon
an area of high unemployment and under-educated people. Though rural
the community is not a farming one and consists of mostly domestic inhabitants
seeking low-level employment and is statistically a high crime area.
Although training for employment socialisation and self-actualisation
have become important deliverables the Container is faithful to its
original mission which is to be a user-friendly community access point
for trans-border communication and information between the people of
Palmers Cross of all ages and relatives friends and opportunities in
far-flung and distant locations cross the globe. The container Project
teaches people of all ages to use the computer to industry standards
and also as a creative tool and for personal communication needs. We
offer traditional ICT Course in Office applications Multimedia Production.